Pittsburgh Steelers
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Steelers named perfect fit for Garrett Nussmeier.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are widely expected to draft a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft even if Aaron Rodgers returns.
Rodgers hinted at last year being his final season, but he’s now expected to return to Pittsburgh for one more year. However, he’s yet to sign his contract, so the Steelers could look to draft a quarterback in case Rodgers doesn’t return.
Although Pittsburgh isn’t expected to use a first-round pick on a quarterback, the team could use a Day 2 pick on a quarterback. Ahead of the NFL Draft, ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak named LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier a perfect fit for Pittsburgh.
“The Steelers need a developmental QB2 with more legs than 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard, Garrett Nussmeier would be an option no matter what,” Solak wrote. “Nussmeier isn’t the biggest quarterback, which can be a concern for AFC North play in the uncovered Acrisure Stadium. He’s 6-foot-2 with 9⅛-inch hands.
“But over 1,804 career snaps at LSU, Nussmeier had only seven fumbles, which is a testament to his ball security. Nussmeier is a strong pocket navigator who can buy an extra half-second while setting up to throw. And he has a wily arm that layers the ball well in intermediate windows. He has a lot of polish on his game and should be called a pro-ready passer for his post-snap acumen.”
Nussmeier is a true gunslinger who would be perfect to learn from Rodgers, who is also a gunslinger. Solak predicts the Steelers will draft the former LSU starter with the 99th overall pick in the third round.
Nussmeier dealt with injuries last season as he started just 9 games, throwing for 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. The year prior, he threw for 4,043 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Nussmeier is Familiar With Mike McCarthy
Along with Nussmeier being a developmental quarterback, there is also some familiarity with the new Steelers head coach, Mike McCarthy.
Garrett’s dad, Doug, was the Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks coach while McCarthy was the head coach. So, there is plenty of familiarity between McCarthy and Nussmeier, which could lead to Pittsburgh drafting him.
“The connection between the Steelers and Nussmeier is obvious,” Solak added. “When Mike McCarthy was the head coach in Dallas, Nussmeier’s father, Doug, was his quarterbacks coach. Doug Nussmeier has stayed in the coaching tree, too, following Kellen Moore to the Chargers, then the Eagles and then the Saints.”
Nussmeier entered this college season as a Heisman frontrunner and could be a first-round pick. But he dealt with injuries that hindered his season and draft stock.
Steelers Waiting on Rodgers Decision
Pittsburgh won the AFC North last season as Rodgers was solid at quarterback.
After the season ended, Rodgers hinted at a return, but no decision would be made quickly. Steelers owner Art Rooney II said the hope was that a decision would be made before the draft, but ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said Rodgers could delay the decision to May or June.
“I don’t think there’s a deadline. But I do think the Steelers would like to know before the draft,” Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show. “I think if Aaron just dragged this into May or June, he could do that.”
Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions last season.