The Pittsburgh Steelers have accumulated significant draft capital, aiming to trade up in the 2026 NFL Draft to secure a future franchise quarterback. However, the outlook has become complicated as most projected top quarterback prospects struggled in the 2025 season, causing their draft value to drop considerably. Fernando Mendoza remains a leading candidate to go first overall, but it appears unlikely the Las Vegas Raiders will trade down from the 21st pick to allow the Steelers to select him.
Ty Simpson Emerges as the Next Best Quarterback Prospect
Following Mendoza, many college and draft analysts have highlighted Alabama’s Ty Simpson as the next promising quarterback option. Despite his evident talent, Simpson has only one season as a collegiate starter, marking him as a long-term developmental candidate. The Steelers currently lack an established quarterback, making it challenging to invest in a player needing extended growth time.
Expert Insight Draws Parallels Between Simpson and Previous Steelers Quarterbacks
On 93.7 The Fan, insider Mark Kaboly provided a cautious comparison of Ty Simpson to two of the Steelers’ previous quarterback selections, including their latest first-round quarterback, Kenny Pickett. Kaboly stated,
“Ty Simpson, he reminds me of Kenny Pickett; he’s the best of the worst,” Kaboly said. “Maybe in other drafts, he doesn’t even go in the first round considering he would be the second quarterback off the market [in 2026]. That pushes him up a little bit. That’s just as big of a project as Will Howard in my opinion. If you bring in Ty Simpson, you might have to treat him like how you treated Will Howard.”
Understanding the Pickett Comparison and Its Implications
The comparison to Kenny Pickett underscores concerns, as neither quarterback was originally considered first-round talent. Pickett was taken early mainly due to Pittsburgh’s urgency for a young passer with limited alternatives available. Similar logic might apply to Ty Simpson, whose first-round projection partly arises from the scarcity of highly regarded prospects at quarterback in that draft class.
Kenny Pickett’s Struggles and Lessons for Future Quarterback Selections
Kenny Pickett’s development was hindered by an ineffective offensive scheme, and dissatisfaction with potential competition led to his trade after just two seasons. Despite his rookie contract, Pickett has moved between teams multiple times, signaling his role may now be limited to that of a career backup. His selection is widely regarded as a draft miss for the Steelers.
Will Howard’s Role and What It Means for Ty Simpson’s Prospects
Will Howard, a sixth-round pick, remains with the Steelers and is seen as a candidate for starting quarterback if Aaron Rodgers does not return. Though Howard has yet to participate in a preseason or regular-season game, the team appears to value him highly enough to promote him above Mason Rudolph as a quarterback option. If Simpson’s developmental project is on par with Howard’s, using a high first-round pick on Simpson may not be justifiable, especially since Howard is already familiar with the team’s system.
Future QB Competition and the Steelers’ Strategy Moving Forward
The Steelers face important decisions regarding their quarterback depth chart heading into the 2026 season. Should Aaron Rodgers return or a significant free agent quarterback be signed, Will Howard would likely serve as backup. However, if the Steelers draft a quarterback in 2026, there remains a credible chance Howard could start, given his current standing within the organization.
Weighing Fan Opinion on Steelers’ Potential Quarterback Moves
The debate around Ty Simpson’s fit with the Steelers remains open among fans and analysts alike. Questions persist about whether he can meet the challenges of transitioning to the NFL and whether another option might better serve Pittsburgh’s needs at quarterback. Fans are invited to share their views on Simpson compared to Kenny Pickett and Will Howard, contributing to a larger conversation about the franchise’s future under center.
