The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to navigate uncertainty at the quarterback position as they await clarity on Aaron Rodgers’ future with the franchise. Regardless of whether Rodgers ultimately returns, league insiders expect Pittsburgh to remain active in its evaluation of quarterback prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
One name increasingly linked to the organization is Ty Simpson, the former Alabama standout who is projected to be selected in the range of the Steelers’ No. 21 overall pick. According
to Brooke Pryor of ESPN, the Steelers have “closely watched” Simpson throughout the 2025 season, signaling legitimate interest in the polarizing signal caller.
“The Steelers have closely watched Simpson, who threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in his lone season as a full-time starter for the Crimson Tide,” Pryor writes. “But while there is an upside to Simpson, he also struggled with decision-making late in the season. He completed a season-low 49% of pass attempts in the SEC championship loss to Georgia, and four of his five interceptions came in the final six games.”
Simpson’s 2025 campaign featured both promise and inconsistency. He finished the year with 28 touchdown passes against just five interceptions, demonstrating efficiency and playmaking ability. However, he struggled late in the season against higher-level competition and dealt with injuries that raised questions about durability and consistency under pressure.
Despite those concerns, Simpson is widely viewed as the second-best quarterback prospect in the class, trailing only Fernando Mendoza of Indiana. Mendoza is broadly expected to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, which would leave Simpson as the next potential franchise option available to quarterback-needy teams.
For Pittsburgh, the decision may ultimately hinge on timing and conviction. The Steelers must determine whether Simpson represents a worthy long-term investment this year or whether waiting for a potentially deeper quarterback class in 2027 would better serve the organization’s future.
With Rodgers’ situation unresolved and draft evaluations intensifying, the Steelers’ level of interest in Simpson could prove to be a defining storyline as the franchise searches for its next cornerstone at the game’s most important position.
