Consensus has been forming that the Steelers plan to draft a quarterback. There’s also growing consensus on which one. If they were to have their way—barring Fernando Mendoza falling—it seems most believe they want Carson Beck. In recent days, we have seen many of those who cover the team start to gravitate toward that name specifically.
Mike DeFabo, for example, recently broke down the Steelers’ quarterback options in the draft. He touched on all the quarterbacks they brought in for visits, including Drew Allar. “Of the quarterbacks listed, Beck would be the one who best checks each box”, he wrote. “After throwing for more than 3,000 yards in each of the last three seasons, he’s the high-floor QB; Allar is the high-ceiling passer if someone can help him translate his traits into on-field production. For that reason, the Steelers likely favor the long-armed, big-handed Miami QB somewhere in the middle rounds”.
The Steelers hosted both Beck and Allar, as well as Cole Payton and Taylen Green, for pre-draft visits. They didn’t bring in Ty Simpon, though they had a formal meeting with him at the Combine. But most Steelers beat writers believe using a first-round draft picks on a quarterback in this class is too rich. Somebody like those in the range they’re looking at would go more in the third or fourth round.
Gerry Dulac was among the first to highlight Carson Beck as a specific quarterback the Steelers like in the draft. Others, such as Ray Fittipaldo, have followed, recently noting Beck will be included in his next mock draft.
The Steelers planned to draft a quarterback in 2026, but the class didn’t pan out as many hoped. New HC Mike McCarthy, however, doesn’t seem to want to punt in the idea of taking one. While he still anticipates Aaron Rodgers will sign, Pittsburgh’s only other options are Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. Now, he has sung Howard’s praises to the moon, but he hasn’t even played in the preseason yet.
Earlier on this season, McCarthy and Steelers GM Omar Khan tried to define the traits they would look for in a quarterback in the draft. Basically, they want a bigger, more physical player who can play in cold weather. Ideally, you would like a big arm, but Carson Beck doesn’t have the biggest in this class. Still, he fits the profile about as well as anybody else does.
The next question is where the Steelers would have to draft Carson Beck if they want him as their next quarterback. The position can be hard to predict at times, as when you need one, you have to go get one. But Pittsburgh has three third-round picks and two fourth-round picks. If the team really wants Beck, it has the ammunition to assure he is putting on the Black and Gold.