The Pittsburgh Steelers have the 21st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are considered a landing spot for a QB who made just 15 college starts.
Pittsburgh has the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and if he falls to 21, Alabama QB Ty Simpson should be considered by the Steelers, writes Moe Moton of Bleacher Report.
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.
Moton thinks the Steelers should draft Simpson no matter what Aaron Rodgers does. Rodgers will either retire this offseason or re-sign with Pittsburgh to play for Mike McCarty for a second time in his career.
"While some believe that McCarthy was an underwhelming hire, he could be the right head coach to groom Ty Simpson into a starter," Moton wrote. "Also, the rookie signal-caller would have two big targets in two-time Pro Bowler DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. Pittsburgh can set up Simpson for immediate success."
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 McCarthy was hired.
If Rodgers doesn't come back, McCarthy and the Steelers will need a new starting QB for next season. Maybe that will be Simpson.
For what it's worth, Rodgers is 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."
Steelers Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Steelers. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.