The Pittsburgh Steelers have a major question mark at quarterback, but it could be addressed at the NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh signed Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal last season, and the hope is that he will come back for the 2026 NFL season. However, Rodgers has yet to make a decision, and NFL analyst Saad Youssef of The Athletic believes the team will draft a quarterback.
“The Steelers continue to wait on a decision from Aaron Rodgers,” Youssef wrote. “If the 21-year veteran returns for another season, the Steelers could return the same quarterback depth chart from a year ago. If Rodgers doesn’t return, Mason Rudolph could be elevated to the starting spot, making Will Howard the new backup. Regardless of Rodgers’ decision, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Steelers add a quarterback in the draft.”
The Steelers could use a Day 2 or Day 3 pick on a quarterback to be a potential future starter in the NFL. But it also adds depth to the position, and some insurance should Rodgers not return.
Who exactly the Steelers would draft is uncertain. But Pittsburgh has been linked to some quarterbacks in the draft, and Youssef expects them to draft at least one.
Who Might the Steelers Draft at QB?
If Pittsburgh uses a first-round pick on a quarterback, it would likely be Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson.
Yet it’s been reported that, if they do take a quarterback, the Steelers would do so later in the draft. So, some options for Pittsburgh are Drew Allar, Garrett Nussmeier, and Carson Beck, who are late Day 2 or early Day 3 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Allar was the quarterback at Penn State, and he dealt with injuries last season. Allar finished the year going 103-of-159 for 1,100 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. His best season was the year prior as he threw for 3,327 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions.
Nussmeier, meanwhile, like Allar, also dealt with injuries last season. He threw for 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. The LSU Tigers‘ gunslinger threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 2024 in his first year as the full-time starter.
The other quarterback the Steelers have been linked to is Beck. He led the Miami Hurricanes to the national championship game. Beck threw for 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions last season with Miami.
Pittsburgh Expects Rodgers Decision Before NFL Draft
The Steelers have a major question mark at quarterback as Rodgers has yet to sign.
Although all signs point to Rodgers returning, no deal is in place. But owner Art Rooney II told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he expects Rodgers to make a decision before the NFL Draft.
“When I talked to him and [general manager] Omar [Khan] talked to him, he told us he wasn’t going to take as long this year as he did last year [to make a decision],” Rooney told the paper. “I’m not 100% sure what that means, but I expect something before the draft.”
Rodgers led the Steelers to an AFC North title last season. And, he showed he still can play at a high level.
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