If the Pittsburgh Steelers draft a quarterback in the first round, Ty Simpson will likely be the guy, as the only passer outside of Fernando Mendoza generating first-round buzz. But according to one local insider, that isn’t in the cards for the Pittsburgh Steelers — and they may not even consider him in the middle rounds.
“I don’t think the Steelers will consider a QB until Rd 3. [Garrett] Nussmeier, even Ty Simpson, do not fit the physical mold the Steelers prefer in their quarterbacks,” Dulac wrote in his weekly Steelers chat. “They’re too small…McCarthy is all-in on developing [Will] Howard, which means he likes what he sees. Simpson is not a Steelers-style QB.”
What is a Steelers-style QB? Ben Roethlisberger is the gold standard as a big-bodied pocket passer with enough mobility to maneuver and create plays. Dulac is implying that the next project the Steelers take on at the position will have similar attributes. If nothing else, he thinks the next guy will be big in stature.
Nussmeier measured in at the NFL Combine at 6020 while Simpson came in slightly shorter at 6011. Ben Roethlisberger was 6047 and Aaron Rodgers is 6020, for comparison. Mike McCarthy spent most of his career working with quarterbacks roughly 6-2 with Rodgers, Brett Favre, and Dak Prescott all in that category.
Perhaps he wouldn’t go shorter—like Simpson—but Nussmeier fits the description. If the Steelers really want a quarterback with size, Drew Allar and Carson Beck are the two from this class who could make sense. Beck just came in for a pre-draft visit on Tuesday as a 6046 prospect.
It’s also worth noting that Will Howard perfectly fits the description. Not to compare him directly to Roethlisberger because there are plenty of differences, but he measured in at 6042 and 236 pounds and ran a respectable 4.33-second short shuttle at the 2025 Combine.
This is the second time that Dulac has stated the Steelers are “all-in” on developing Howard. And Mike McCarthy hasn’t been shy at mentioning his name at every turn this offseason.
Whether Howard is the backup plan or not, the Steelers don’t seem to have a high opinion of Simpson. And for what it’s worth, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo said the same in his mailbag Wednesday morning.
“Well, I’ll tell you first who I don’t think it will be: Ty Simpson,” he wrote.
He also outlined the difference in how Mike Tomlin and McCarthy, who he described as an expert, evaluate the position differently. Tomlin was always talking about mobility, but there’s a good chance McCarthy sees things differently.
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