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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: QB Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on before the Alabama Crimson Tide versus Indiana Hoosiers College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 2026, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Everything the Pittsburgh Steelers have done over the past several seasons has pointed toward one defining objective: identifying and securing their next franchise quarterback.
The timing seemed almost too perfect. With the NFL Draft being hosted in Pittsburgh for the first time, the organization appeared positioned to make a bold, symbolic move at the game’s most important position.
General manager Omar Khan has methodically built a level of flexibility heading into this year’s draft. The Steelers currently hold 12 selections, including four compensatory picks, ammunition that strongly suggests preparation for a potential move up the board. The expectation, at least at one point, was that this would be the year to strike.
However, the 2026 quarterback class has not unfolded as anticipated.
Several high-profile prospects opted to return to school, including Dante Moore, Arch Manning, and LaNorris Sellers. Others failed to build on prior momentum. Cade Klubnik and Drew Allar both regressed, showing inconsistency in decision-making and mechanics. Meanwhile, Garrett Nussmeier endured a turbulent season marked by injury and a subsequent benching.
Outside of Fernando Mendoza— the Heisman Trophy winner and national champion widely projected to go first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders—there is little consensus around first-round quarterback talent. One name, however, continues to surface: Ty Simpson.
If the Steelers view Simpson as a legitimate franchise option, it is difficult to envision them remaining passive at pick No. 21. Quarterback-needy teams such as the New York Jets at pick 16 loom as potential threats to select him earlier, making patience a risky strategy.
The more plausible scenario is an aggressive move up the draft board.
A logical trade partner could be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at pick No. 15. Such a deal would allow Pittsburgh to leapfrog the Jets and secure their target. A package centered around picks 21 and 53 could be enough to facilitate the move, though alternative constructions—such as including mid-round selections like picks 85 and 121—would offer additional flexibility while preserving a second-round asset.
I want to make it very clear: this is not necessarily an endorsement of selecting Simpson, nor is it a definitive indication of the Steelers’ evaluation. To their credit, the organization has maintained discretion, revealing little about its intentions. But the broader principle remains clear.
Franchise quarterbacks are rarely acquired through hesitation.
If the Steelers believe Simpson is “the guy,” they will not sit back and hope he falls into their lap. The team has spent years positioning itself for this opportunity. Passing on a decisive move—especially on home soil—would run counter to that long-term strategy.
In that context, mock drafts projecting Simpson to Pittsburgh at No. 21 may be missing the bigger picture. If he is their target, the Steelers will go get him. If not, they may be more inclined to stay the course and revisit the position in a stronger quarterback class next year. Either way, standing still is the least likely outcome.
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