{"id":153145,"date":"2026-03-31T10:02:22","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T10:02:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/153145\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T10:02:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T10:02:22","slug":"omar-khan-said-the-steelers-must-find-an-afc-north-qb-pittsburghs-defining-what-that-means","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/153145\/","title":{"rendered":"Omar Khan Said The Steelers Must Find An ‘AFC North QB.’ Pittsburgh’s Defining What That Means."},"content":{"rendered":"

At the NFL Combine, Omar Khan fell on a cliche to describe what the next Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback should look like \u2013 an \u201cAFC North\u201d one. A description that could mean everything and anything,<\/a> it was understood what Khan meant even without the detail. Big, strong, tough. Ready to handle the cold \u2013 and those tough AFC North defenses.<\/p>\n

Based on Pittsburgh\u2019s pre-draft interest and Mike McCarthy\u2019s comments, the Steelers are walking that walk. Speaking to reporters Monday, McCarthy referenced the build of \u201coutdoor\u201d quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre. Their size being an asset for inclement weather, as shared by The Athletic\u2019s Mike DeFabo.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Interesting quote from Mike McCarthy on the draft: “I’m hopeful there will be a quarterback, you know, at the right time there for us to possibly add to our to our roster.”<\/p>\n

He mentioned Rodgers and Favre are long-armed QBs with 10-inch hands who could sling it in the cold.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) March 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Aaron Rodgers had 10 1\/8-inch hands. Brett Favre checked in at 10 3\/8.<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh\u2019s pre-draft interest in the position reflects that mentality. To date, the Steelers have hosted a pair of quarterbacks for pre-draft visits:<\/a> Georgia\u2019s Carson Beck and North Dakota State\u2019s Cole Payton. The tale of the tape tells the story.<\/p>\n

Carson Beck: 6046, 233 pounds, 10-inch hands
Cole Payton: 6025, 232 pounds, 10 1\/4-inch hands<\/p>\n

Of Combine invites, Beck and Payton are the only quarterbacks to weigh 230-plus pounds or having 10-plus inch hands. Those two prospects are different in many ways. Beck is experienced and battle-tested but lacks physical traits. Payton is raw but toolsy. But both are \u201cAFC North quarterbacks.\u201d That\u2019s the vision.<\/p>\n

Go through McCarthy\u2019s history, and that\u2019s clear. In a quick version similar to Jeremy Pike\u2019s deep dive into receivers, here are the hand sizes of the quarterbacks drafted during his Packers tenure.<\/p>\n

Matt Flynn: 9 inches
Ingle Martin: 9 1\/2 inches
Brian Brohm: 9 3\/4 inches
B.J. Coleman: 10 inches
Brett Hundley: 10 inches<\/p>\n

Flynn is the only one who could be considered to have \u201csmall\u201d hands. Martin was average, Brohm above-average, with Coleman and Hundley crossing the 10-inch mark. It didn\u2019t make for great NFL careers, but the type was clear. Even in Dallas, McCarthy didn\u2019t draft Dak Prescott but had success with him and his nearly 11-inch hands. It\u2019s an asset.<\/p>\n

Kenny Pickett\u2019s struggles as a small-handed quarterback, even if that wasn\u2019t the primary reason for his failure, only compound the idea. Pickett wasn\u2019t an AFC North quarterback. Ben Roethlisberger was. It\u2019s why the team, so far, hasn\u2019t shown much interest in Alabama\u2019s Ty Simpson, undersized at 6011, 211 pounds with 9 3\/8-inch hands.<\/p>\n

Will Howard, of course, fits the mold. It\u2019s why Mike McCarthy is excited about his prospects, too. But if Pittsburgh adds to the depth chart with a draft pick, expect him to look old-school. It\u2019s the AFC North way.<\/p>\n