The 2026 NFL Draft is over a month away, but the drama surrounding the first round never seems to rest.
Pittsburgh will be the epicenter for the NFL world from April 23 to April 25 as the North Shore will host seven rounds of selections. The Steelers added significant pieces in wide receiver Michael Pittman, cornerback Jamel Dean, running back Rico Dowdle, and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day at the turn of the league year.
Aaron Rodgers’ future remains a mystery. Quarterback remains the most
glaring hole on the franchise’s roster. NFL insider Mike Florio of NBC’s Pro Football Talk heard that the Steelers might not like their current internal options as much as they are leading on.
Florio indicates the Steelers aren’t as high on Will Howard as they say and may be looking for a different young quarterback to move forward with.
“I hope they’re trying to keep their cards close to the vest and hope that Ty Simpson slips to them,” Florio said on Pro Football Talk. “All that Will Howard stuff is just smoke.”
The Steelers own the 21st pick in the draft, and Simpson is considered by many, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper, as the second-best quarterback on the board. Fernando Mendoza is the significant favorite to go first overall, but the waters are murky following the Heisman Trophy winner.
The Steelers have waxed poetically about what the future could hold for Howard, a 2024 sixth-round pick who hasn’t taken one NFL snap.
“We’re excited to work with Will,” general manager Omar Khan remarked at the NFL Scouting Combine. “We really liked him coming out last year… We’ve watched the progression in practice, and it’s been exciting.”
Mike McCarthy spoke glowingly of Howard at his introductory news conference, and Khan said McCarthy is looking forward to working with the former Ohio State quarterback. Despite this, Florio isn’t buying it and thinks the team may want to draft Simpson in the first round to be the next face of the franchise.
He also believes the Steelers want Rodgers back to start next season.
“I think they’d like to get Ty Simpson and Aaron Rodgers, based on some stuff I’ve heard,” Florio said. “I think they’d like to get Ty Simpson and Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers plays for one more year, then Simpson takes over.”
Simpson started only 15 games in his collegiate career after waiting behind Jalen Milroe. He passed up the opportunity to return to college. He completed 64.5% of his passes and combined for 30 total touchdowns, 28 through the air, and turned the ball over 11 times (six fumbles and five interceptions) as Alabama became the first three-loss team to make the College Football Playoff.
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