Will the Pittsburgh Steelers land a potential franchise quarterback in front of the home crowd during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft? That’s been one of the biggest questions throughout the draft process.
But the possibility appears to be shrinking with the draft approaching. To begin this weekend, Art Rooney II appeared to hammer the final nail in the coffin with the idea.
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reported Friday afternoon the Steelers president told anchor Andrew Stockey that the team could go in a number of different directions at No. 21 overall in the first round.
However, quarterback isn’t likely to be one of them.
“I can tell you one thing, it’s probably not going to be a quarterback,” said Rooney. “But beyond that, it’s wide open. Of course, it depends on what happens in front of us.
“But, you know, I think it’ll be exciting to build. Interesting. A lot of interesting players in this draft.
“And, I think one of the — not only our first pick, but as you probably know, we have 12 selections in this draft. So we have an opportunity to really add some talent to the roster.”
Art Rooney II Essentially Rules Out 1st-Round QB for Steelers
GettyPittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 anchor Andrew Stockey that the team likely won’t draft a first-round quarterback.
The buzz around the Steelers during the final full week before the 2026 NFL Draft has basically been no buzz at quarterback in the first round.
One of the biggest reports of the week came from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., who said on Unsportsmanlike on Thursday morning the Steelers wouldn’t target a first-round signal-caller.
“I’ve heard no. We’ll see. It’s been pretty quiet on that front,” Kiper said on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike on Thursday morning. “They have an offensive guard problematic area that they’d like to fill, and they have some other issues on both sides of the ball, really.”
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor suggested the team’s first-round target remains a mystery. She floated Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson as a possibility but then posed that scenario as unlikely.
“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,” wrote Pryor. “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.”
Rooney said nothing different. A lot of various possibilities remain on the table at No. 21 for Pittsburgh, but quarterback is very unlikely.
The Steelers could truly take the best available prospect (which won’t be a signal-caller).
Steelers QB Plan in 2026 NFL Draft?
GettyThe Pittsburgh Steelers don’t appear to be preparing to draft Alabama signal-caller Ty Simpson.
Pundits quickly linked the Steelers to Simpson early in the draft process. That happened for a variety of reasons, including the team’s quarterback need and the likelihood Simpson could be available at No. 21.
Those links have persisted throughout the spring. Notably, Pryor reported the team did its “homework” on Simpson.
The Steelers, though, didn’t invite the Alabama quarterback to Pittsburgh for a pre-draft visit. Instead, the team hosted four signal-callers set to potentially be Day 2 or 3 selections.
Mark Kaboly reported the Steelers also wanted to host LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who is another potential Day 2 pick.
With 12 selections and a need at quarterback, pundits expect the Steelers to draft a signal-caller. But it’s likely to come with one of the team’s mid-round selections.
The Steelers hold five picks from No. 76-135 in the third and fourth rounds.
For pre-draft visits, the team hosted quarterbacks Miami’s Carson Beck, North Dakota State’s Cole Payton, Arkansas’ Taylen Green and Penn State’s Drew Allar.
Allar visited the Steelers on the last day for pre-draft visitors.
The team’s starting quarterback from last year, Aaron Rodgers, remains unsigned in NFL free agency. But the team has Mason Rudolph and Will Howard on their offseason quarterback depth chart.
Steelers’ Art Rooney II Throws Cold Water on 1st-Round Scenario in 2026 NFL Draft