New Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized he would like Aaron Rodgers to return for the 2026 NFL season. McCarthy has also spoken highly of 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard. But that doesn’t mean the Steelers won’t also draft a quarterback this spring. If they do, there’s one rather obvious target — Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
The potential for a Simpson-Steelers pairing has died down a bit in mock drafts. Over the last few days, more experts appear to be predicting the Steelers take a receiver in the first round.
But on Wednesday, Athlon’s Luke Easterling slotted Simpson to the Steelers at No. 21 overall in his latest 2-round mock draft.
“Does this feel too much like Kenny Pickett all over again? Maybe. But even if Aaron Rodgers returns for another season under his old head coach in Mike McCarthy, the Steelers don’t have a long-term plan at the game’s most important position,” Easterling wrote. “Simpson showed flashes of potential last season, but was inconsistent down the stretch, and he lacks elite physical tools and starting experience.
“That said, sitting behind Rodgers for a year and learning how to maximize what he does well could end up giving the Steelers more value in the future than any other pick would in this spot.”
During the 2025 season, which was his first as a starter, Simpson registered a 64.5% completion percentage with 3,567 passing yards in 15 games. He also had 28 passing touchdowns and five interceptions.
Why the Steelers Could Pick QB Ty Simpson
As Easterling explained, the Steelers don’t have a long-term solution at quarterback. If Rodgers doesn’t return, then the team won’t even have an obvious Week 1 starter for the 2026 season.
The Steelers possess Howard and veteran Mason Rudolph under contract for 2026. But Rodgers could take his time deciding whether to play again this fall. Last year, Rodgers didn’t sign with the Steelers until June 5.
If the Steelers don’t want to count on Rodgers returning or want a higher-rated prospect to pin their future on than Howard, Simpson is the most obvious quarterback who could be available for Pittsburgh at No. 21 overall.
When at his best in 2025, Simpson displayed “sound” mechanics, strong leadership and “above average” decision-making. With those traits in place, McCarthy could see Simpson as a developmental project.
The Steelers could afford to not play Simpson in 2026 if Rodgers returns. Then, he could sit behind Rodgers and learn as Howard did during 2025.
Why Simpson Could Be Kenny Pickett All Over Again
The 2026 draft class is expected to be weak at quarterback. That should sound familiar to Steelers fans.
In 2022, the quarterback class was very thin — so much so that only one quarterback went in the top 70 picks. That was Kenny Pickett to the Steelers at No. 20 overall.
Pittsburgh may have selected Pickett because he was the best quarterback prospect in the class, and the Steelers needed a signal-caller. Pickett, though, lasted just two seasons in Pittsburgh before getting traded.
The last thing the Steelers want is another Pickett. Selecting Simpson at No. 21 five years after taking Pickett at No. 20 might be too much déjà vu for the franchise.
There’s also reasons to be concerned about Simpson’s pedigree.
Simpson struggled down the stretch in the biggest games of the year in 2025. He completed a season-low 48.7% of his passes in the SEC Championship Game.
Against Indiana in the College Football Playoff, he threw for only 67 yards on 16 attempts.
Simpson is still raw. He started just one season in college.
That could be a good thing because he should be more easy to mold. But it does mean Simpson is unlikely to be in position to start at all during 2026.
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