The 2026 NFL Draft class doesn’t have the quarterback goods. That’s the common belief around the NFL, with this class likely to see only a pair of passers selected in the Top 50 (and potentially even the Top 75) selections. Count the PPG’s Ray Fittipaldo among those skeptical that this QB group is worth the Pittsburgh Steelers’ consideration at any point.
“I think Mendoza’s gonna be a good player,” Fittipaldo said on 93.7 The Fan on Monday. “I don’t know that he’s gonna be an elite quarterback. I think he’ll be good. But these other guys that you’re talking about. The Ty Simpsons, the kid from North Dakota State, a bunch of like third, fourth, and fifth rounders. Guys who could develop into backups or maybe low-level starters.”
Mendoza is head-and-shoulders the top quarterback of the class, but even he isn’t as elite as other No. 1 overall picks. Our own grade reflects that. We stamped Mendoza with an 8.8, shy of All-Pro status, with Ty Simpson the next-closest at 8.4. No quarterback received the grade that Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, or Andrew Luck would’ve received.
Most have serious questions. Simpson is undersized and lacks starting experience. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier had a down 2025 marred by injury. Similar things can be said for Penn State’s Drew Allar. Cole Payton, the “kid from North Dakota State” Fittipaldo referenced, is a major project from a small school. Miami (FL)’s Carson Beck saw career and physical regression after tearing his UCL. Arkansas’ Taylen Green needs plenty of coaching despite plenty of college starts.
There is no obvious answer to solve Pittsburgh’s problems. Fittipaldo thinks the team should punt and focus elsewhere.
“Why take a chance on a guy like that when you can fill out your roster?” he said. “And then when you are in position, when you are a quarterback away, maybe you hit the ground running, and you hit on that guy. And then boom, you’re in the Super Bowl window.”
Fittipaldo’s take is similar to Ben Roethlisberger’s opinion, who believes the team should ignore the quarterback position in 2026 and potentially even 2027. Instead, the quarterback should only become the target once the rest of the roster is in place. Fittipaldo cited 2022’s underwhelming class as one reason why Pittsburgh shouldn’t reach.
The Steelers will be confronted with that decision in just a couple of weeks. Take one early, in the middle, late, or not at all? The question every quarterback-needy team has. The only benefit is that it’s the ground Pittsburgh is familiar with, sitting in this position annually since Roethlisberger’s retirement.
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