With the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine getting underway Tuesday, it offers the Pittsburgh Steelers a great opportunity under GM Omar Khan, assistant GM Andy Weidl and first-year head coach Mike McCarthy to get up close and personal with some prospects, particularly at the quarterback position.

One of those quarterbacks they’ve done a ton of work on already is Alabama’s Ty Simpson. Though the Steelers want Aaron Rodgers back for a second season, reuniting him with McCarthy, there could be the opportunity to land a quarterback in the first round of the draft to develop under Rodgers.

That’s what ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Steelers doing in his latest mock draft, selecting Simpson at No. 21 overall.

“The Steelers have to think about the QB position with a longer-view lens. They could bring back Aaron Rodgers or opt for another veteran stopgap to keep them in contention next season, but even if they go that route, they should still address their future at the position,” Kiper writes. “Simpson has just 15 starts to his name, and his 2025 season was uneven, but his game has a lot of promise. He navigates the pocket well and threw 28 touchdown passes to just five interceptions last season.

“Pittsburgh could let him learn behind a veteran for a little while before turning the offense over to him.”

Simpson has been heavily connected to the Steelers since the end of the season, marrying long-term need at the position and the range he could — and should — come off the board.

That said, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero stated on The Rich Eisen Show a few days ago that he believes if Simpson goes in the first round, he’ll go in the top half due to multiple teams having a pair of first-round picks, like the Los Angeles Rams, that could allow them to swing on Simpson early in the draft.

While bringing back Rodgers would lock down the starting role for 2026, Pittsburgh has to find an answer for the future at the position. Of course, the Steelers could wait and cast their line in the 2027 draft class at the position, one that looks to be very deep and talented early. 

Simpson started the 2025 season on fire and looked like arguably the best quarterback in the country while putting himself firmly in the running for the Heisman Trophy. But his play fell off late in the year due to struggles around him along the offensive line and in the run game. He later was injured in the Rose Bowl in a blowout loss to Indiana, and his draft stock has had some questions since.

He’s also inexperienced overall with just 15 career starts, which is less than what NFL teams tend to feel comfortable with.

There’s no denying the talent though.

“Pittsburgh can’t wait till next year. They aren’t gonna pick one or two in the draft to get Arch Manning or Dante Moore. You take Ty Simpson and McCarthy comes in, gets his quarterback hand picked,” Kiper said of his mock Tuesday morning on SportsCenter. “Ty Simpson also dealt with adversity. He had…they struggled against Florida State. He got hot, then he had some struggles late, some fumbles lost, the injury. Bottom line is Ty Simpson can spin it.

“He lets it rip. He, to me, is a faster, more athletic Mac Jones.”

A faster, more athletic Mac Jones is enticing, considering Jones has had some good moments in his young NFL career and been speculated about as a possible trade target for the Steelers this offseason.

We’ll see just how much the Steelers have interest in Simpson this week at the Combine based on meetings and the buzz coming out of Indianapolis.