At the NFL Combine, Omar Khan fell on a cliche to describe what the next Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback should look like – an “AFC North” one. A description that could mean everything and anything, it was understood what Khan meant even without the detail. Big, strong, tough. Ready to handle the cold – and those tough AFC North defenses.

Based on Pittsburgh’s pre-draft interest and Mike McCarthy’s comments, the Steelers are walking that walk. Speaking to reporters Monday, McCarthy referenced the build of “outdoor” quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre. Their size being an asset for inclement weather, as shared by The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo. 

Interesting quote from Mike McCarthy on the draft: “I’m hopeful there will be a quarterback, you know, at the right time there for us to possibly add to our to our roster.”

He mentioned Rodgers and Favre are long-armed QBs with 10-inch hands who could sling it in the cold.

— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) March 30, 2026

Aaron Rodgers had 10 1/8-inch hands. Brett Favre checked in at 10 3/8.

Pittsburgh’s pre-draft interest in the position reflects that mentality. To date, the Steelers have hosted a pair of quarterbacks for pre-draft visits: Georgia’s Carson Beck and North Dakota State’s Cole Payton. The tale of the tape tells the story.

Carson Beck: 6046, 233 pounds, 10-inch hands
Cole Payton: 6025, 232 pounds, 10 1/4-inch hands

Of Combine invites, Beck and Payton are the only quarterbacks to weigh 230-plus pounds or having 10-plus inch hands. Those two prospects are different in many ways. Beck is experienced and battle-tested but lacks physical traits. Payton is raw but toolsy. But both are “AFC North quarterbacks.” That’s the vision.

Go through McCarthy’s history, and that’s clear. In a quick version similar to Jeremy Pike’s deep dive into receivers, here are the hand sizes of the quarterbacks drafted during his Packers tenure.

Matt Flynn: 9 inches
Ingle Martin: 9 1/2 inches
Brian Brohm: 9 3/4 inches
B.J. Coleman: 10 inches
Brett Hundley: 10 inches

Flynn is the only one who could be considered to have “small” hands. Martin was average, Brohm above-average, with Coleman and Hundley crossing the 10-inch mark. It didn’t make for great NFL careers, but the type was clear. Even in Dallas, McCarthy didn’t draft Dak Prescott but had success with him and his nearly 11-inch hands. It’s an asset.

Kenny Pickett’s struggles as a small-handed quarterback, even if that wasn’t the primary reason for his failure, only compound the idea. Pickett wasn’t an AFC North quarterback. Ben Roethlisberger was. It’s why the team, so far, hasn’t shown much interest in Alabama’s Ty Simpson, undersized at 6011, 211 pounds with 9 3/8-inch hands.

Will Howard, of course, fits the mold. It’s why Mike McCarthy is excited about his prospects, too. But if Pittsburgh adds to the depth chart with a draft pick, expect him to look old-school. It’s the AFC North way.