Roger Goodell is only nine days away from officially opening the 2026 NFL Draft on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
The Steel City will be the center of the sports world for three days as the seven-round draft commences outside of Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers own the 21st pick and remain without a franchise quarterback or an answer from a future first-ballot Hall of Famer. Art Rooney II said at the NFL owners meetings that he expected to hear a decision from Aaron Rodgers before the draft. Time is wasting.
If Rodgers decides to retire or pursue another opportunity, the Steelers have to pivot. Even if Rodgers comes back, the franchise still needs to acquire its next franchise quarterback.
CBS Sports draft analyst Ryan Wilson thinks that person may walk across the stage in black and gold next Thursday night in front of hundreds of thousands of Steelers and other football fans.
“I’ve heard they do like Ty Simpson,” Wilson told Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller on 93.7 The Fan on Tuesday. “I would not be surprised if they package some of those Day 2 picks to get back up into the first round to get Ty (Simpson) at the bottom of round one if he’s still there.”
The Steelers own one second (53rd overall) and three thirds (76th, 85th, 99th) over the first three rounds. They also have two fourths (121st and 135th) at their disposal.
Simpson only started one season at Alabama before declaring for the draft. He completed 64.5% of his passes and combined for 30 total touchdowns over 15 games, including an appearance in the SEC Championship Game and College Football Playoff.
Simpson turned the ball over 11 times, throwing 11 interceptions and losing six fumbles.
Wilson pointed to Arch Manning (Texas) and Dante Moore (Oregon) as likely top 10 picks next year, but a lack of clarity on who will follow them and how impactful the 2027 QB class will be.
“I’m telling you, he’s a good player,” Wilson said. “If you like Ty Simpson and you’re the Steelers, you better take him. You can see what happens if you wait, and you end up holding at the altar by yourself.”
Simpson didn’t play well against Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl Game. He threw for 67 yards, but left the game early due to a fractured rib. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound QB did win Alabama’s first round matchup 34-24 at Oklahoma with 232 yards passing, two touchdowns, and no turnovers.
Simpson’s best game came in a 30-14 victory against a very strong Vanderbilt team on October 4, throwing for 340 yards, two touchdowns, and one pick.
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