Unless the Pittsburgh Steelers find a way to address their quarterback problem early in the 2025 NFL draft, most eyes will be on next year's prospects. Mason Rudolph remains under contract, and many believe it's a matter of time until Aaron Rodgers joins Pittsburgh. The franchise had spent countless hours scouting the position to take pressure off Rodgers's timeline.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan has stated he wants four quarterbacks on the roster heading into training camp. Pittsburgh only has Rudolph and Skylar Thompson on the depth chart. They will probably address the need in the draft while also signing Rodgers, but they need a permanent answer going into 2026.
Many believe the quarterback draft class of 2026 could be immaculate, but they have uncertainties that could tarnish their reputation.
Don't be so confident Pittsburgh Steelers locate franchise quarterback in 2026 draft
Arch Manning, Texas Longhorns
Everyone has Arch Manning circled regarding a potential franchise-altering pick for the Steelers next year. He is, of course, the nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning. Fans need to pump the brakes on the hype train surrounding this prospect. Reports are already surfacing about the possibility of Manning staying in Texas no matter what happens next season. He has an old-school mindset.
He is not in a rush to start or get out of college. He makes plenty of NIL money and is going into his first season as a starter for the Longhorns. Manning has worked his way up from the backup spot and has shown glimpses of brilliance when he has gotten chances to play. The young star might become one of the most highly respected quarterback prospects since his uncles, but he has plenty to prove.
READ MORE: Steelers prove they can survive taking Shedeur Sanders in 7-round mock draft
Drew Allar, Penn State Nittany Lions
Unlike the green Arch Manning, Drew Allar will head into his third season as Penn State's starter. He is from Medina, Ohio, which isn't too far from Pittsburgh. The Steelers could steal another Ohio product to become their franchise quarterback, like they did with Ben Roethlisberger. Allar has the tools to succeed but needs to win big games.
Penn State has struggled to defeat their "big brothers" of the Big Ten. Teams like Ohio State and Michigan have dominated their rivalries under head coach James Franklin. Allar has shown steady growth as a quarterback since becoming the starter, but if he can show an ability to win in big moments, he could challenge for the number one selection in the 2026 NFL draft.
Nico Iamaleava, (In transfer portal)
College football is a different landscape now with NIL deals. Many thought the Tennessee Volunteers could challenge for a playoff spot, but their starting quarterback just entered the transfer portal. Nico Iamaleava just jumped into the portal after Tennessee declined a raise in his NIL money. As we await his decision, his draft stock might've just taken a hit.
The Steelers are used to handling egotistical players, and it seems like Iamleava has become that with this transfer situation. He is a strong player, but didn't rise to the occasion when the Volunteers made the playoffs this past year.
He is a fantastic prospect heading into the NFL draft next year, but he has plenty to prove, especially since he will be playing on a new team.
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina Gamecocks
One of the biggest wildcards among the top quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL draft is LaNorris Sellers. The South Carolina signal-caller could be the next Cam Newton. He runs like a tank using Nitrous and has an arm that can shoot like a rocket. He is coming off his first campaign as the Gamecocks' starting quarterback, so his draft stock could vary based on this upcoming season.
There is another year before the draft arrives for Sellers, but he could jump to the top pick if he has a breakout year. His 2024 campaign showed a player with freakish athletic abilities at the position, but no one wants another Anthony Richardson hiccup. The Steelers could fall in love with Sellers if he proves closer to a Newton clone than a Richardson flop.