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Report: Steelers Could Trade Back Into First Round For QB
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- Report: Steelers Could Trade Back Into First Round For QB
Ty Simpson, Alabama Athletics
The Pittsburgh Steelers could make one of the biggest splashes in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
It seems unlikely that the Pittsburgh Steelers will use the No. 21 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on a quarterback, even as the waiting game continues for Aaron Rodgers . However, one NFL analyst doesn't think that will prevent them from trying to land there next franchise quarterback in Round 1.
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According to Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports , the Steelers like Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and are considering trading back into the first round to select him.
The Steelers certainly have the draft capital to execute a trade up, with 12 total picks and four on Day 2 (Nos. 53, 76, 85 and 99). However, there has been a lot of debate about whether Simpson is worthy of a first-round selection .
Simpson currently ranks as the No. 32 overall player on the NFL Mock Draft Database's consensus big board after throwing for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions while leading Alabama to the College Football Playoffs last season.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) passes against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. — Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
If the price is right, a trade-up could make sense for Pittsburgh, though. Even if the Steelers are unsure if Simpson is worthy of a first-round pick, getting the fifth-year option on him is valuable in itself, if they believe he could be their future franchise quarterback.
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Landing Simpson would not prohibit the Steelers from running it back with Rodgers in 2026, either. In fact, allowing Simpson to sit behind a four-time NFL MVP could set him up for success at the next level.
Pittsburgh witnessed what throwing a rookie quarterback into the starting lineup sooner rather than later can do with former first-round pick Kenny Pickett .
However, the Steelers may not be the only quarterback-needy team thinking this way. So it will be very interesting to see how the board falls. Some still believe that Simpson will be gone by the time Pittsburgh is even put on the clock.
"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 insider 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.'"
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Report: Steelers Could Trade Back Into First Round For QB
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