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The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo argued the Pittsburgh Steelers shouldn't take any quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft even with Aaron Rodgers uncertainty.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could be in position to take any quarterback during the 2026 NFL Draft not named Fernando Mendoza. That’s likely what a lot of pundits will call on the team to do if Aaron Rodgers remains undecided about the 2026 season.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo explained on the radio Monday he feels differently. Fittipaldo argued the Steelers shouldn’t draft any quarterback in the 2026 NFL draft class.
“I don’t know that [Mendoza’s] gonna be an elite quarterback. I think he’ll be good,” Fittipaldo said on 93.7 The Fan. “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.
“Why take a chance on a guy like that when you can fill out your roster? 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.
“Then boom, you’re in the Super Bowl window.”
Fittipaldo made that argument despite a pundits pushing the opposite idea — the Steelers need to address quarterback in the 2026 class. That’s a growing narrative around the team in part because Rodgers hasn’t signed to play this fall.
Ty Simpson Likely to Be Steelers Best QB Option in 2026 NFL Draft
Draft analysts have linked the Steelers to a few different quarterbacks through the draft process this spring. That’s likely to continue until the draft officially begins in Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 23.
There’s a reason, though, Fittipaldo mentioned Simpson by name.
Most pundits who have argued the Steelers should target a quarterback early consider Simpson the top choice.
Both ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah rated the Alabama signal-caller the No. 2 quarterback in the 2026 class. Kiper ranked Simpson his No. 20 overall prospect as well.
“His lack of experience might be a concern, as Simpson didn’t start a game until last season, but the production is hard to ignore. Simpson knows the game and competes on every down,” Kiper wrote. “He’s a battler who is always trying to make a play — sometimes to his detriment.
“And Simpson maneuvers well in the pocket and can beat defenses with his legs when the passing play isn’t there.”
How Badly Do Steelers Need Back Aaron Rodgers for 2026?
Fittipaldo didn’t mention Rodgers at all during his argument about avoiding 2026 quarterbacks. However, it will be a lot easier for the Steelers to do that if they have Rodgers back for next season.
Without Rodgers, the team has Mason Rudolph and Will Howard on the quarterback depth chart. Rudolph has starter experience but owns a 1-5 record since the start of the 2024 campaign.
Howard has no regular season or preseason NFL experience.
With Rodgers, the Steelers will have the same quarterback room as last season. They will have the opportunity to compete immediately with the 4-time MVP. Meanwhile, Howard offers a potential future option with the Steelers likely to explore quarterback options in the 2027 class.
But without Rodgers, the Steelers will need another signal-caller to fill out their depth chart.
That doesn’t mean Pittsburgh’s third quarterback (in the event Rodgers doesn’t come back) has to come through the draft. But the veteran options are drying up in NFL free agency.
Joe Flacco and Kirk Cousins have each signed with new teams.
According to ESPN’s most recent NFL free agency rankings, the next-best free agent quarterback after Rodgers is Russell Wilson. On NFL.com’s best available list, Jimmy Garoppolo was the top free agent quarterback following Rodgers.