The Pittsburgh Steelers opened their voluntary minicamp on Monday, and Aaron Rodgers is still a no-show. Team president Art Rooney II set a semi-hard deadline for Rodgers to make a decision by the 2026 NFL Draft, but it doesn't appear that will happen.
Along with an update on Rodgers, NFL Network's insider Ian Rapoport reported that Will Howard, a sixth-round rookie from the 2025 draft, will be Pittsburgh's QB1 for voluntary minicamp (and possibly beyond). Rapoport
This news instantly sparked debate among the national NFL media... and one analyst is already hitting the panic button with his latest draft suggestion.
On the latest episode of ESPN's Get Up, Jason McCourty suggested the Steelers should draft Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in the wake of the Aaron Rodgers news.
"For the Steelers, if you like Ty Simpson and you're saying he's potentially there at twenty-one and it makes sense, whether [Aaron] Rodgers comes back or not, that pick would benefit them. There still going to need a quarterback in the future. Why not go and get a guy that you believe in that could be the future..."
McCourty was adamant that, whatever decision Rodgers makes, Simpson should be the pick at No. 21 overall. But Omar Khan and the front office can't afford to make a desperation move at quarterback based on Rodgers' lack of commitment for the 2026 season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers should avoid Ty Simpson in the NFL Draft, despite Aaron Rodgers' lack of commitment
Rodgers will turn 43 years old during the 2026 season. Even if he returns for this year, everyone knows that this is not the long-term plan. Thus, McCourty's suggestion sounds good in theory—go out and get a young QB who can either sit behind Rodgers, or if Rodgers doesn't return, maybe even see the field as a rookie this year.
But the Steelers can't afford to take that gamble on a player with some major bust potential.
Simpson has just one year of starting experience at Alabama, and his play diminished over the course of the season (though some would claim this was due to nagging injuries). At 6'1 1/8'' and 211 pounds, Simpson comes well short of the prototype physical profile that most teams look for at the position.
Simpson has respectable mobility and enough arm talent to be an NFL starter, but that's where the conversation ends. Meanwhile, the Alabama product must improve his accuracy and consistency, and it's more than concerning that the 23-year-old has just 523 career pass attempts in his four-year college career.
Simpson won't be the top player on the board when the Steelers are on the board with the No. 21 overall pick, and quite frankly, they should let another team take this dice roll. By doing so, the Steelers could build the foundation of their roster in the 2026 NFL Draft, while looking to take their big quarterback swing in 2027.
I get why certain members of the NFL media believe the Pittsburgh Steelers should take Simpson in Round 1—they have a huge need at QB. But there's way too much risk involved here for the hope of landing a starting-caliber quarterback with capped upside.
Whether Aaron Rodgers returns or the team has just Will Howard and Mason Rudolph to lean on in 2026, the Pittsburgh Steelers can't make a desperate move for Ty Simpson in Round 1 of the draft.
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