The Pittsburgh Steelers have been patiently waiting for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to make his 2026 decision. If he were to retire, then Pittsburgh may need to turn to a quarterback at No. 21 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
However, the Steelers don’t believe that’ll be the case. They have been linked heavily to Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson throughout the pre-draft process. But Simpson or any quarterback doesn’t appear likely to go at No. 21, via Brooke Pryor of ESPN.
“Though the Steelers have done their homework on the quarterbacks, including first-round hopeful Ty Simpson, it doesn’t appear they’ll go that way at No. 21,” Pryor wrote. “They continue to believe Aaron Rodgers will ultimately return for another season. Instead, they could take best available player among wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line or any spot in the secondary.”
With Rodgers a free agent, Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are the only quarterbacks on the roster. If he doesn’t return, Pittsburgh would most certainly want a rookie to compete with them. But if Rodgers does come back, then the Steelers will be going all-in for a Super Bowl title. In that case, it may be in Pittsburgh’s best interest to land an immediate difference maker at No. 21.
Simpson is amongst a number of quarterbacks looking to prove why they should be QB2 behind Fernando Mendoza. He threw for 3,948 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in his final year with the Crimson Tide.
Sooner or later the Steelers will need a quarterback of the future and Simpson could be on the board at No. 21. But with the possibility of a Rodgers return still looming, Pittsburgh seems poised to look elsewhere.
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