The Pittsburgh Steelers are showing more interest in North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton ahead of next month's 2026 NFL Draft.
After sending quarterbacks coach Tom Arth and scout Jim Ward to the Bisons' pro day to see Payton work out, Mike McCarthy's team is bringing the FCS standout in for a pre-draft visit on Friday.
Payton is the second known signal-caller the Steelers are hosting at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, following Miami 's Carson Beck , who visited on Tuesday.
North Dakota State QB Cole Payton runs the ball during the first half of the 2026 Senior Bowl at University of South Alabama's Hancock Whitney Stadium. — Vasha Hunt / Imagn ImagesCredit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
"Payton is a dual-threat, single-season FCS starter with good size," NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in a scouting report. "He's a lefty with shoddy mechanics and subpar arm talent, but he still manages to deliver throws with touch to all three levels … Payton projects as a QB3 and will require packaged plays to take advantage of his rushing ability until he proves himself a functional pocket passer."
With Payton at the offense's controls last season, North Dakota State went 12-1. After passing for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions, Payton finished third in voting for the Walter Payton Award, which goes to the FCS's offensive player of the year. Payton also ran the ball for 777 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Steelers met with four known passers at the NFL Scouting Combine — Alabama's Ty Simpson , Penn State's Drew Allar , LSU's Garrett Nussmeier and Beck.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Turning Over Another QB Stone Before 2026 NFL Draft
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