The Pittsburgh Steelers have been rumored to explore a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft all offseason. The organization still awaits a decision from its starter, Aaron Rodgers, and owns the 21st overall pick in the draft. From recent reports, it seems like Rodgers is leaning towards coming back, and the team has shown confidence in the young arm of Will Howard, so it seems unlikely the front office would go with a quarterback so high, but it's possible.
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Steelers' Will Howard throws the football during rookie minicamp.
Steelers insider Gerry Dulac recent gave insight into what the Steelers think about taking a quarterback in round one. Fans are afraid that Pittsburgh could reach again in the first round, like they did in 2022 with Kenny Pickett.
"There will not be a reach because the Steelers believe there is only one QB worthy of a first-round pick," Dulac wrote.
The consensus No. 1 quarterback is Fernando Mendoza out of the Indiana University. It's almost guaranteed that he'll be chosen with the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. After that, there is a significant drop in talent at the spot. There were some stirrings of Alabama QB Ty Simpson sneaking into the first round, or even being a top pick. However, those don't seem extremely legitimate. It could happen, but it won't for the Steelers, according to Dulac.
The Steelers seem like they'll get Rodgers back, and with that, another year with a veteran quarterback under center. The Steelers brass loaded up on picks for this year's draft, but it doesn't look like it will be as strong a draft class as they thought to take a franchise signal-caller.
Simpson or another quarterback could still be in play for the Black and Gold, but it won't be in round one. There are just too many more significant needs at the moment, and the team has built up a stockpile of mid-round selections that can be used on a project quarterback, if that's the direction the Steelers want to go.
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Former Miami Hurricanes QB Carson Beck looks on during the National Championship game.
The Steelers have shown interest in former Miami Hurricanes QB Carson Beck, and he has a chance to be there for the taking with a mid-round choice. If Pittsburgh really wants to try a developmental quarterback, it can't afford to reach. The front office needs to do its homework on a potential gem and potentially draft him. There cannot be a repeat like in 2022 that set themselves back. The team is in a pretty good spot for the future, besides another Band-Aid solution in Rodgers. The 2027 class is speculated to be full of talented arms, and the Steelers should look to nab one next year.
The team has a dozen draft picks, including three in the third round, and could look to acquire draft capital for 2027 to potentially get a QB or have ammunition to trade up for one of their top targets. This draft will determine how the quarterback room will shake out in the future and how the front office will determine the next potential Steelers great.
The Steelers Should Just Avoid A QB In The 2026 Draft Entirely
If or when Rodgers comes back, the Steelers will then have him, Howard, and Mason Rudolph on the roster. While they may take on a fourth quarterback, it wouldn't be worth even a mid-round pick to have him just sit on the practice squad. There are plenty of quarterbacks that the front office can go after that don't waste picks in that role, like Skylar Thompson from 2025.
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Steelers' former backup quarterback Skylar Thompson celebrates with his former teammate wide receiver Ke'Shawn Williams after a nice play.
The Steelers need to add to their positions of need in this draft, rather than adding another arm. The more weapons, the better for a young field general. This draft needs to be focused on that, and plugging in the gunslinger later. This draft will be super important in making the team younger and filling in holes in position groups that could use a boost. This will be a great setup for the next star quarterback in the Steel City.
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