All signs seem to still be pointing to the Pittsburgh Steelers re-signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason, giving them an experienced starter to enter the 2026 season with.
Second-year pro Will Howard is expected to get a chance to prove himself, too. But with 12 draft picks in late April’s draft, the Steelers have a chance to spend some of that capital on the quarterback position for the second year in a row.
Alabama’s Ty Simpson makes some sense in the first round, especially with Mike McCarthy now the head coach, and the Steelers reportedly doing a ton of homework on Simpson.
But for the Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, the Steelers won’t be drafting a QB in the first round.
Or the second round.
In his latest reader chat Wednesday, Dulac stated that the earliest the Steelers will even entertain drafting a quarterback is in the third round — if at all.
“Absolutely it’s possible, especially in the third round, which, I’ve been told, is the earliest the Steelers will consider a QB (as of right now),” Dulac wrote when asked if the Steelers will draft a QB.
That third round could be the sweet spot for the Steelers, especially with three picks in that round (No. 75, No. 86 and No. 99 overall). The No. 99 overall pick is a compensatory pick for losing Dan Moore Jr. in free agency last offseason to Tennessee, so GM Omar Khan could look to use one of those three picks to grab another developmental quarterback.
LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier — who has personal ties to McCarthy — makes sense in the third round. So does Penn State’s Drew Allar and maybe even Miami (FL)’s Carson Beck.
Those names might not be needle-movers for Steelers fans or media members who want Pittsburgh to draft its quarterback of the future. But with three third-round picks taking a swing on a quarterback in this draft might not be a bad idea.
Of course, the focus on development will have to be paid to Howard, but adding another young quarterback with upside at a discounted rate via draft pick could be a good bit of business for the Black and Gold.
Until that franchise signal caller is found, the organization has to keep taking swings. Avoiding doing so in the first or second round this year feels like a good call on the surface. But once the third round hits, the Steelers should be willing to take a swing on the most important position in sports.