"It's Just Smoke": Steelers Preparing To Shock Entire NFL In First Round Of 2026 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers are certainly setting high expectations for themselves in 2026. They have loaded up on their skill positions, a place the organization has lacked in for a few seasons. The team went out and signed one of the best corners on the market, Jamel Dean, and traded for a more than capable wide receiver, Michael Pittman Jr. They also signed one of the best running backs available, Rico Dowdle, and young safety Jaquan Brisker. New Head Coach Mike McCarthy is making sure his skill positions aren't short on talent.

With all of these signings, it leaves Steeler Nation wondering, what will the team do with the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft? The Steelers have only one glaring hole on the roster: quarterback. With most of the free agent quarterbacks signing elsewhere, the team's starter is likely to be either Aaron Rodgers or Will Howard. 

McCarthy has said he is welcome to a Rodgers reunion, but he has also praised Howard very highly. Howard was a sixth-round pick in 2025; he won a National Championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes in his final collegiate season. 

In 2025, Howard didn't see a lick of action. He broke his hand in training camp and missed all of the preseason. So, McCarthy has only seen Howard's college and practice film. It's rather unusual how much McCarthy has praised Howard, given the lack of film and low draft positioning. 

Mike Florio recently appeared on his show, Pro Football Talk, and discussed the Steelers' quarterback situation. Florio took an interesting look at the Howard buzz, believing the Steelers have a bigger plan than the former National Champion. 

"I think they're trying to keep their cards close to the vest in hopes that Ty Simpson slips to them," Florio said. "All that Will Howard stuff is just smoke. I think they'd like to get Ty Simpson and Aaron Rodgers based on some stuff I heard yesterday. Rodgers plays for one more year, then Simpson takes over."

The Steelers have been mocked to select Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at 21. Simpson had a nice start to the 2025 season, but by the end of the year, was not the same player. Simpson is believed to be one of the better middle-of-the-field throwers in the class, something the Steelers haven't necessarily needed for years. 

He has a good release, but lacks arm strength. Simpson's end-of-season slump seemed to have scared teams away; some even believe it would be a Kenny Pickett-esque pick. 

Steelers Must Bring Back Rodgers If Simpson Is Their Guy

The team's quarterback room currently consists of Howard and Mason Rudolph. Those would be the guys that Simpson would sit behind and learn from. That is not optimal. Simpson doesn't have much experience; he only started one season in college. 

Simpson is going to need all the help he can get; who better for him to learn from than Rodgers and McCarthy? Rodgers is a future Hall of Famer and one of the greatest quarterbacks the game has ever seen, and McCarthy is a quarterback guru.

When Rodgers was drafted in 2005, he sat behind future Hall of Famer Brett Favre for his first three seasons. Simpson won't have that luxury; Rodgers doesn't have much time left. That one season would help Simpson tremendously and the Steelers. 

They wouldn't be starting over; they'd still carry out their win-now plan and build for the future. Simpson, under a year of sitting behind Rodgers and learning under McCarthy's coaching, could become a solid starter for the Steelers if he is their guy.  

Simpson may not be the popular pick, but he's only 23. He'd be going into a good system with great company around him. The Steelers have a good offensive line and are building one of the better wide receiver corps with the Pittman trade. 

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