The Pittsburgh Steelers may just land their quarterback of the future in the 2026 NFL Draft after all.
All signs continue to point towards the Pittsburgh Steelers running it back with quarterback Aaron Rodgers next season. However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk believes that won't prevent them from targeting a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In fact, Florio thinks the Steelers are hoping to land Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with their first-round pick.
"I think they're trying to keep their cards close to the vest in hopes that Ty Simpson slips to them," Florio said on his Pro Football Talk podcast. "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 take over."
Simpson, 23, is certainly an intriguing prospect after throwing for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions while leading Alabama to the College Football Playoffs last season.
However, that is exactly why some believe Simpson won't even make it to the Steelers at pick No. 21.
"I still believe, not just that he goes in the first, I believe Ty Simpson most likely goes in the top half of the first round," NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said on The Rich Eisen Show . "And remember, with four teams holding multiple first-round picks, there are times that teams look at that and go, 'We've kind of got an extra one to play with here. We can get an instant impact from one and maybe a developmental starter from another.'"
If that is true, the Steelers will have to trade up to land Simpson, but luckily for them, they have all the draft capital they need to execute such a move with 12 total selections in this year's draft.
Only time will tell if that is how things play out, but Pittsburgh still needs a quarterback and the options have all but run out.
A native of Martin, Tennessee, Simpson threw for 3,948 yards and 28 touchdowns and rushed for 223 yards and five more scores during his collegiate career at Alabama.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Insider Claims Steelers Are Eyeing QB in First Round of NFL Draft
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