Have we seen the end of Aaron Rodgers in the NFL? Experts seem to think so, following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 30-6 postseason loss to the Houston Texans.
With the Steelers’ season reaching its conclusion and Rodgers’ contract set to expire, many expected the legendary quarterback to call it a career. If Rodgers does, in fact, hang up the cleats, a significant question now lingers in the Steelers’ front office. Must the Steelers draft a quarterback with their first-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft?
In PFSN’s latest mock draft, the Steelers are projected to select this highly touted quarterback with the 21st pick in the 2026 draft.
Could the Steelers Select This Alabama QB With First Round Selection?
If Mike Tomlin does indeed lose his starting quarterback to retirement, the Steelers’ depth chart at the position becomes concerning, with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Skylar Thompson currently available to the team. Drafting a quarterback in the first round would become something to seriously consider for Steelers general manager Omar Khan.
In PFSN analyst Josh Weil’s latest mock draft, the Steelers are predicted to select Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 21st pick in the draft.
Simpson impressed during his four years at Alabama under head coach Kalen DeBoer, recording 33 passing and rushing touchdowns. In his first full year as a starter, Simpson led the Crimson Tide to an 11-4 record, including a college football playoff appearance in which he defeated Oklahoma in the first round before being eliminated in the Rose Bowl by Indiana.
Simpson has played against elite-level talent throughout his entire college career, which was spent in the SEC. With elite arm talent and the ability to scramble his way into the end zone when need be, Simpson has proven the potential to be a franchise quarterback. With Rodgers expected to retire, the Steelers could be on the hunt for just that.
“If you’re Pittsburgh, you should beg Mike Tomlin to want to be there. But if you’re Mike Tomlin, why would you want to stay?”@ChrisCanty99 on if it’s time for Mike Tomlin to move on from the Steelers 🏈 pic.twitter.com/dpY2ga3wl5
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 13, 2026
Many questions remain, however. The possibility of Rodgers returning to play for Tomlin again remains, however unlikely that may be. Even so, Rodgers will be turning 43 in December, and having Simpson as a backup plan could be beneficial, especially when considering Simpson only started one full season at Alabama.
MORE: PFSN’s QB Impact Metric
Another question is what to do with National Champion Will Howard. Could Tomlin give the sixth-round draft pick a shot at the starting job after sitting behind Rodgers throughout his rookie season? A combination of Simpson and Howard could also be an interesting battle in training camp if the Steelers decide to go that route.
If Rodgers decides that his 21st season in the NFL was, in fact, his last, look for the Steelers to draft Simpson with the 21st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in hopes of the Alabama quarterback developing into the next franchise quarterback of the Steel City.
