News continues to emerge from the NFL owners' meetings, with the latest insight coming from new Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy.
It is no secret that Aaron Rodgers is the team’s preferred starting option for the 2026 season, and all indications continue to point in that direction. Regardless of whether Rodgers ultimately returns, Pittsburgh has shown strong interest in adding a quarterback through the draft.
"I'm hopeful there will be a quarterback, you know, at the right time there for us to possibly add to our roster," McCarthy said, according to a tweet by the Athletic's Mike DeFabo.
The Steelers head coach also noted that he prefers a quarterback with hand measurements around 10 inches and longer arm length. He is seeking a physical profile similar to that of Brett Favre and Rodgers. Those preferences are expected to narrow the list of prospects currently linked to the franchise during the draft process. The number of quarterbacks who fit that mold is limited.
Depending on how the draft process unfolds, the Steelers appear eager to add a developmental quarterback in the middle rounds. The team seems to favor making that move somewhere between rounds three and four, where they hold five total selections. With the volume of picks they possess in the upcoming draft, Pittsburgh is well-positioned to take a calculated gamble at the position.
Pittsburgh Steelers HC Mike McCarthy just narrowed his QB list at the NFL Draft
Cole Payton, North Dakota State
He has already spent time with the Steelers during a pre-draft visit, and Cole Payton makes a great deal of sense as a potential fit. Although he comes from a lower level of college football, Payton has put together impressive tape. The Bison quarterback also boasts the largest hand size among this year’s quarterback prospects.
If he is available in the third round, McCarthy is expected to have a strong interest in Payton.
Drew Allar, Penn State
The Steelers have not shown significant interest in Drew Allar during the lead-up to the draft, but the team scouted him extensively before his season-ending injury at Penn State. He is a difficult quarterback to evaluate, as his physical traits are exciting, while his inconsistencies raise legitimate concerns. Allar fits the exact physical profile McCarthy prefers, and he should remain on their radar.
Carson Beck, Miami
Selecting Carson Beck early in the draft may not be a popular move, but it should not be ruled out for the Steelers.
The team hosted the quarterback on a pre-draft visit, and he fits the physical profile McCarthy has said he wants to add to the roster. The concern with Beck is his limited upside. While he put together a respectable collegiate career, he never fully reached his potential. As a result, Beck is widely viewed as a likely career backup at the NFL level.
Taylen Green, Arkansas
Let’s introduce a wildcard option for the Steelers. Taylen Green is not a player who has drawn much pre-draft interest from the team so far, but he is someone they should consider. He is arguably the most physically gifted quarterback in this draft class and possesses tremendous upside. Selecting Green as a developmental option in the later rounds could prove to be a smart gamble.