Mike McCarthy Makai Lemon
Getty
A new 2026 NFL mock draft projected Mike McCarthy and the Pittsburgh Steelers to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon in the first round this spring.
T
he Pittsburgh Steelers may be in the market for a quarterback this offseason, as the 2026 status of future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers is still unknown. With new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy and Co. currently at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, it is the perfect opportunity to meet with the next batch of great, young quarterback talent.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Christopher Carter, the Steelers have already met with standout Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, who is fresh off a run to the College Football Playoff this past season.
Ty Simpson Speaks About Meeting with Pittsburgh Steelers
Ty Simpson Alabama Crimson Tide
GettyAlabama standout quarterback Ty Simpson looks to make a statement at the NFL Scouting Combine after a strong career at Alabama.
While in front of the media on Friday morning, Simpson spoke about how his meeting went with McCarthy and the Steelers, saying:
“It was just two guys working ball…We would just bounce ideas back and forth with each other. A guy like (McCarthy), who has had success in the league for a long time and is well-respected, anytime I get to sit in an interview and talk to him and soak up all of the knowledge is everything I could ask for.”
Asked Ty Simpson this morning about his conversation with #Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy.
Have heard the team liked how he interviewed. Don’t have them taking him in the first round but he’s the only QB after Fernando Mendoza I see in that tier of this class. https://t.co/M9yN2ITJ52 pic.twitter.com/SEzJOX6ftF
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) February 27, 2026
Simpson has plenty of talent to translate his skills to the next level. An All-SEC selection this past season in Tuscaloosa, the 23-year-old patiently waited his turn to be named the starting quarterback of the Crimson Tide. He finally got his opportunity last season and did not disappoint, as he went on to throw for over 3,500 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.
The Ball is in the Steelers’ Court Regarding the Quarterback Position
Aaron Rodgers Pittsburgh Steelers
GettyFour-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers led the Steelers to their first AFC North title since 2020 last season.
Pittsburgh is in a very interesting situation under center. Not only is a return for Rodgers uncertain, but the team also drafted former national champion quarterback Will Howard out of Ohio State in the sixth round in last year’s draft. Could he be the quarterback of the future still, even in this new regime under McCarthy?
There are also free-agent options at the quarterback position outside of Rodgers. Veteran quarterback Malik Willis, who is one of the top overall free agents available, is coming off a rebirth as a backup quarterback with the Green Bay Packers. He could be a potential option, as well.
In whatever direction that McCarthy and the Steelers end up taking, they will be making a big statement. But the best result could very well be a Rodgers return to the Steel City. After all, he did record 25 total touchdowns and just seven interceptions en route to helping the franchise recapture the AFC North. In fact, he did it with a fractured wrist and a makeshift group of wide receivers.
The history between Rodgers and McCarthy is also a factor. Together for nearly 13 seasons in Green Bay (Rodgers was the starter for 10 full seasons under McCarthy), they made the playoffs eight consecutive seasons (2009-2017), won the NFC North five times, and beat the Steelers to claim Super Bowl XLV. Rodgers also won two of his four career MVPs under the leadership of McCarthy.
At 42 years of age, it is no secret that Rodgers’ historic career is coming to a close. But would it be in the best interest of the Steelers to allow him to close it out with the head coach with whom he essentially started his great run?