{"id":862084,"date":"2026-04-09T05:18:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T05:18:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/862084\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T05:18:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T05:18:31","slug":"steelers-urged-to-draft-top-qb-prospect-regardless-of-aaron-rodgers-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/862084\/","title":{"rendered":"Steelers Urged To Draft Top QB Prospect Regardless Of Aaron Rodgers’ Status"},"content":{"rendered":"

With two weeks to go until the 2026 NFL Draft<\/a> in their city, the Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> still don’t know if Aaron Rodgers is coming back yet.<\/p>\n

While he’s expected to return, the timing of his decision could have a major impact on the Steelers’ draft plans.<\/p>\n

If Rodgers comes back, Pittsburgh can afford to wait on a quarterback in the draft, if it drafts one at all. If he doesn’t, however, then quarterback becomes a much bigger priority<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday’s episode of “NFL Live,” former NFL player Mark Spears explained why he thinks the Steelers should take a quarterback with their first pick, regardless of whether Rodgers is coming back or not.<\/p>\n

Specifically, he thinks Pittsburgh should try to draft Ty Simpson<\/a> to be the team’s next franchise quarterback.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“There’s a lot of glaring issues in Pittsburgh, but the one glaring issue that you cannot win without in this league, is high-level quarterback play.”@mspears96<\/a> thinks the Steelers should draft Ty Simpson regardless if Aaron Rodgers is there \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/AOYe18XK3y<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“There’s a lot of glaring issues in Pittsburgh, but the one glaring issue that you cannot win without in this league, is high-level quarterback play,” Spears said. “You gotta take swings at quarterbacks out of college and hope one of them can turn into their Dak Prescott.”<\/p>\n

Simpson is ESPN’s consensus No. 2 quarterback prospect, so he’d be a great get for the Steelers if he falls to them at No. 21.<\/p>\n

Simpson is coming off four years at Alabama, where he earned the starting job last year as a junior. He immediately established himself as one of the better quarterbacks in college, leading the NCAA in pass completions and pass attempts last season.<\/p>\n

The 23-year-old has a ton of potential and is nearly two full decades younger than Rodgers. With Rodgers’ career winding down, Pittsburgh would be wise to snag his potential long-term replacement if possible.<\/p>\n

More NFL:\u00a0Steelers Writer Names 7,699\u2011Yard SEC Passer Possible Option For Pittsburgh In NFL Draft<\/a><\/p>\n