There’s no debating that finding the quarterback successor to Aaron Rodgers is pretty high on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ to-do list, and that’s exactly what they accomplish in a new 2026 NFL mock draft.
In ESPN’s latest mock, Jordan Reid projected the Steelers to select Alabama QB Ty Simpson with the 30th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft — a no-brainer selection if the Crimson Tide signal-caller falls to Pittsburgh.
“It’s essential for the Steelers to find the heir apparent under center to soon-to-be 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, and I think Simpson has been the most impressive of the draft-eligible quarterbacks,” Reid wrote. “Despite the need, Pittsburgh waited until Round 6 to pick a QB this past April (Will Howard). It can’t wait that long again. Like Moore, Simpson is an inexperienced starter (all six career starts have come this season). It’s not certain that Simpson will declare for the 2026 draft, but league evaluators have taken notice of his impressive stretches this season. He has thrown 16 TD passes and just one interception this season.”
Joining Alabama in January 2022, Simpson was finally named the starting QB in 2025 for his junior season and hasn’t disappointed through six games — completing 134 of 189 pass attempts for 1,678 yards and 16 touchdowns, with only one interception thrown. He’s also picked up two rushing touchdowns on the ground.
While we’re a long way away from next April’s draft, hearing Simpson’s name called in Pittsburgh of all places would drive Steelers Nation into a frenzy as the long-term quarterback woes may finally be solved.
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