Ty Simpson, Alabama Crimson Tide
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Alabama QB Ty Simpson at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have an Aaron Rodgers problem on their hands. The veteran has still yet to let the team know whether he’s returning for another season in 2026.
Obviously, this presents quite the dilemma for the Steelers, who have to figure out who will be playing quarterback next season. Rodgers, more or less, would be the perfect answer given his experience and the easy transition for new head coach Mike McCarthy, who also worked with Rodgers in Green Bay.
If not, then seeking out one of the several veteran quarterbacks that will hit the free agent market could be the answer. Or, Pittsburgh could attempt to utilize the draft to find their future signal-caller. Or perhaps both.
Whatever the case, it all boils down to Rodgers’ decision, but it’s likely the Steelers will be adding to their quarterback room one way or another.
In Mike DeFabo of The Athletic’s recent mock draft, he has the Steelers drafting a quarterback — just not the one everyone is expecting, and not in the first round.
Steelers Mock Draft Passes on Ty Simpson in Round 1
When mock drafts aren’t featuring the Steelers selecting one of the top projected wide receivers in the first round, it’s usually Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson going No. 21 overall to Pittsburgh. Simpson is widely viewed as the No. 2 quarterback in the draft behind Fernando Mendoza.
However, that’s not what DeFabo has Pittsburgh doing.
Instead, he projected the Steelers to address wide receiver first, selecting Washington wideout Denzel Boston in the first round.
Boston reportedly had a formal meeting with Pittsburgh during the combine. But so did Miami quarterback Carson Beck, who DeFabo has the Steelers waiting to select until the fourth round.
“While many mock drafts have the Steelers picking Alabama’s Ty Simpson in the first round, my sense is that his limited experience (15 starts) will be a significant factor in the Steelers’ evaluation,” DeFabo wrote.
Beck, on the other hand, offers a completely different profile. Between Georgia and Miami, he spent six seasons in college and appeared in 55 games.
“Beck is kind of the opposite. A three-year starter, he’s played in a number of big moments. His arm strength isn’t what it once was after UCL surgery, and his long-term future is probably still as a backup. But if the Steelers want to add another young player to learn behind Aaron Rodgers, early Day 3 feels like the right time to take a chance.”
Carson Beck Enjoyed Meeting With Steelers
DeFabo also reported that Beck was one of three quarterbacks to meet with the Steelers during the NFL Scouting Combine. The others were Simpson and Penn State’s Drew Allar.
“I heard from several people that all three had positive meetings. At least above the neck, they put their best foot forward,” DeFabo said.
Beck also spoke highly of his meeting with Steelers coaches, specifically McCarthy.
“(McCarthy) is super, super smart,” Beck said. “Really, really smart coach. That meeting, it was a lot of ball talk, for the most part. There was a couple questions about obviously just figuring out who I am and wanting to know who I am, but it was a lot of ball talk. I really enjoyed that meeting. It was really just me and him going back and forth the whole time, just talking football, which is what I love to do.”