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Ashish Mathur
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Updated at Apr 4, 2026, 16:09
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An NFL analyst got honest on the Pittsburgh Steelers' biggest question entering draft month.

With the 2026 NFL Draft almost here, one NFL analyst has a big question for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report thinks the Steelers need to ask themselves this: What's the deal at quarterback?

"This has been the prevailing question for any team employing Aaron Rodgers at this time in recent offseasons. The Steelers need definitive word from the veteran QB on his future before they're on the clock with the 21st overall pick on April 23. That's apparently the expectation, but nothing's guaranteed with the 42-year-old. It could draw Ty Simpson into play."

If Rodgers retires from the NFL or signs with another team, the Steelers could draft Simpson. Pittsburgh has the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

For Alabama last season, Simpson put up 3,567 passing yards and 28 passing touchdowns. He completed 64.5% of his passes. Simpson finished his college career with 3,948 passing yards and 28 passing touchdowns.

Rodgers is currently a free agent and it's unknown if he will play next season. The future Hall of Famer finished with 3,322 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2025. He completed 65.7% of his passes.

The Steelers won the AFC North last season but lost to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the 2026 playoffs. Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach and Mike McCarthy was hired. 

McCarthy and Rodgers won Super Bowl XLV against the Steelers as members of the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers told Pat McAfee that he's open to playing for McCarthy again. 

"I love Mike, and Mike and I have kept in contact over the years," Rodgers said. "I've had conversations with Omar. I think Omar enjoyed having me there. I think the guys had a positive response to our time together. But again, there hasn't been any deadline set on me, there hasn't been any contract floated in front of me for me to, like, 'Well, we're giving you to March 8 to make a decision on this contract.' There's been nothing to that respect. … Interested in what the conversations will be, but there hasn't been any progression when it comes to that."

It will be intriguing to see if Rodgers plays another season in the NFL. The four-time MVP has 527 passing touchdowns and 66,274 passing yards with the Packers, New York Jets and Steelers.

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