The road to a successful restructure for the Pittsburgh Steelers runs straight through the 2026 NFL Draft. Hosting one of the league’s most prestigious events created the perfect stage for Omar Khan’s front office to make a statement. The opportunity was there to reshape the roster and set the tone for Mike McCarthy’s new era.
But before Pittsburgh could land a true offensive centerpiece, the Los Angeles Rams shifted the board in a way that changed everything.
With the 13th overall pick, the Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. It instantly disrupted Pittsburgh’s contingency plans. Especially if Aaron Rodgers ultimately decides not to return.
It is frustrating to watch lingering quarterback uncertainty bleed into draft-day decisions. Ignoring the situation would be just as damaging as overreacting to it. Truthfully, the Steelers have allowed months to pass without a firm commitment from their former All-Pro quarterback, and the lack of clarity has left a noticeable hole under center.
Most organizations would treat that as an urgent priority.
There was a growing belief that Pittsburgh had its eye on Simpson throughout the pre-draft process. If the opportunity presented itself, it felt like Khan would take a swing. And there was a strong case for doing so.
Simpson entered the draft as one of the top quarterback prospects, widely viewed as the second-best option behind Fernando Mendoza. His résumé backed that up. In 2025, he was a finalist for the Manning Award and put together an impressive season, throwing for 3,050 yards and 28 touchdowns.
He checked a lot of boxes for a team searching for long-term stability at the position.
The Pittsburgh Steelers let Aaron Rodgers' indecision impact their first-round approach
That's what stings a little more. Instead of aggressively addressing the need, Pittsburgh allowed another team to step in and secure a player who could have been part of their future.
A lot of this circles back to the uncertainty surrounding Rodgers.
If Khan had a definitive answer earlier in the offseason, navigating the first round would have been much clearer. Trading up for a quarterback could have been a well-established strategy. It is more effective than hoping the board falls your way.
More importantly, clarity would have provided a stronger sense of direction for the franchise moving forward.
As it stands, McCarthy appears to be shifting focus toward former sixth-round pick Will Howard. There is some intrigue there. Howard is a national champion with upside and the physical tools worth developing. However, he still lacks meaningful NFL experience, and that is difficult to overlook during a critical stretch for the organization.
Spending a year behind a proven Super Bowl-winning quarterback has value, but it does not guarantee readiness.
Turning a blind eye to Rodgers’ situation has not done the Steelers any favors. With Ty Simpson now off the board, the path forward becomes narrower. Pittsburgh must reassess how it plans to find its next leader under center. There are still options, including Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green, who could be worth considering later in the draft at the right price.
Still, the bigger issue remains. Rodgers’ indecision has backed the Steelers into a corner, and now every move feels more reactive than proactive. I believe it is officially time to begin working towards the future.
Where Rodgers' indecision will no longer hinder progress.
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