The Pittsburgh Steelers need a long-term quarterback option—that much we all know. But the type of QB the team will ultimately settle on in the NFL Draft is anyone's guess.
So far, the Steelers have shown a noteworthy level of interest in two quarterback prospects in the 2026 draft: Miami's Carson Beck and North Dakota State's Cole Payton. The Steelers met with Beck at the NFL Combine before bringing him to the facility on a valuable 30-visit.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh sent two members of their coaching staff—including QB coach Tom Arth—to NDSU's Pro Day to watch Payton. The FCS quarterback shed light on the media that the Steelers are bringing him in for a pre-draft visit soon.
Both quarterbacks could end up being selected on Day 2 of the NFL Draft this year, and each has something to offer the team that ultimately selects them.
But the two couldn't be more opposite.
Now it's a matter of which direction the Steelers intend to go—do they play it safe or shoot for the stars with a looming QB decision in the 2026 draft?
The Pittsburgh Steelers should target Cole Payton over Carson Beck in the 2026 NFL Draft
Let's start with Beck. At 6'5'' and 233 pounds, Beck has the stature teams covet at the QB position. Beck played six college seasons—five at Georgia and one at Miami. He played in 55 games, throwing for 11,725 yards, 88 touchdowns, and 32 interceptions while leading the Hurricanes to a College Football Championship berth in 2025.
Beck has the raw production and experience under his belt, but the upside is lacking. With limited mobility and modest arm talent (especially after a significant elbow injury), the upside for Beck might not be high. Meanwhile, Beck's grade and efficiency have declined sharply since his peak season in 2023.
Then there's Payton—a raw, small-school quarterback with just one year of starting experience in five college football seasons and poor passing production. In 2025—his lone year as a starter—Payton threw for just 2,719 yards with 16 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
But what Payton lacks in experience and production, he makes up for with loads of untapped potential.
At 6'3'' and 232 pounds with massive 10' 1/4'' hands, Payton has an ideal build at quarterback. The lefty has a cannon attached to his shoulder, and his arm strength and velocity pop on tape. The NDSU prospect also possesses outstanding 4.56 speed—making him a nightmare to tackle when he gets out in space.
Now it's all about preference for the Steelers.
If Pittsburgh happens to narrow their search between Beck and Payton in the mid-rounds of the 2026 draft, they opt for security or swing for the fences. Beck is an easy projection as a long-term backup quarterback—a guy who could enter the game on a whim and lead the team to a few victories here and there.
Payton is just the opposite. The raw QB will need at least a season to sit and redshirt as a developmental QB3. But if he even hits 80 percent of his ceiling, the Steelers would be looking at a quarterback who has more tools and upside than any quarterback they've had since Ben Roethlisberger.
Payton is more of a gamble, but with a higher potential reward if he hits, while Beck is the safe but unspectacular option. To me, the choice is easy: roll the dice on Payton.
If the Steelers get through Payton's rookie season and decide he's just not getting it or hasn't taken a big enough leap forward, Pittsburgh could finally take its big swing at quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Will Howard should be a stable option as a backup, at least, so pairing a more boom-or-bust prospect with Howard would make sense.
With Beck, the limited ceiling could lead to Pittsburgh getting stuck in QB limbo—even if he reaches the maximum upside of his potential. Despite his tall frame, Beck will only ever have average upside due to his limited traits... and this could leave the Steelers in a position they don't want to be in.
Cole Payton is a player who caught my attention early in the pre-draft process. This would be a go-big-or-go-home decision by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2026 NFL Draft. But for a team that perennially finishes in the middle of the pack, it's time to swing big at quarterback.