The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently in a waiting game regarding the 2026 season. Aaron Rodgers was the team’s quarterback in 2025, but there’s no word on if he’ll be back in 2026.
Even if Rodgers is back in tow, the team still needs to think about the future of the position. According to one NFL insider, the team conducted due diligence on rookie quarterbacks at the NFL Combine.
Steelers Reportedly Interested in Three Rookie Quarterbacks
Rodgers had a fine season for the Steelers in 2025, leading the team to a division title. The future Hall of Famer threw for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
PFSN’s QB Impact ranking gave Rodgers a 71.4 grade, which ranked 29th out of 48 qualified passers. The veteran isn’t near the player he used to be, but the time would likely be right to start him again in 2026 if he doesn’t retire.
According to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, the Steelers formally met with three quarterbacks at the combine: Alabama’s Ty Simpson, Penn State’s Drew Allar, and Miami’s Carson Beck.
“The Steelers met formally with three quarterbacks this week: Alabama’s Ty Simpson, a potential first-round pick, Penn State’s Drew Allar and Miami’s Carson Beck,” DeFabo explained. “I heard from several people that all three had positive meetings. At least above the neck, they put their best foot forward.”
As DeFabo mentioned, Simpson is projected to be a first-round pick while the other two passers are considered to be mid-round prospects. Simpson threw for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions while leading the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff. Beck, meanwhile, in his first season at Miami, threw for 3,813 yards and 30 touchdowns while taking Miami to the national championship.
Allar was considered a top passer in last year’s draft class before deciding to return to school. Unfortunately, the 2025 season didn’t go well for Allar, as he suffered a season-ending injury and played in only six games.
The Steelers meeting with all three passers shows they’re at least open to the possibility of drafting a passer again. The team selected Ohio State quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 draft.
The Steelers and longtime head coach Mike Tomlin parted ways this offseason, and Mike McCarthy was brought in as the new head coach. McCarthy and Rodgers won a Super Bowl in Green Bay, but there’s still no guarantee Rodgers will be back.
It’s possible McCarthy could want a clean slate and his own quarterback in 2026. It’s also possible McCarthy wants Rodgers to start for one more season before having a young passer take over in 2027.
The Steelers have plenty of other needs besides quarterback to address if they plan to repeat as champions of the AFC North. However, it’s clear that the quarterback is in play for the team with the No. 21 pick.
