The Pittsburgh Steelers may try everything in their power to retain Aaron Rodgers for one more go-around under Mike McCarthy, but they could lean on the NFL Draft to select a player like Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss if that quarterback plan goes up in smoke.
However, Chambliss, who has been suing the NCAA in an attempt to gain one more year of college eligibility, may be successful in his attempt to get one more amateur season, which could deprive Pittsburgh of the chance to bring him to town with a mid-round pick.
Chambliss, who is projected to be picked on Day 2 of the Draft, was not invited to the NFL Combine. Why would such a decision be made if the NFL believed that Chambliss had any shot of actually being available in the prospect pool?
Pittsburgh Steelers QB target Trinidad Chambliss not invited to NFL Combine
Chambliss threw for 22 touchdowns against three interceptions for the Rebels this season, which isn't bad for someone who played most of his college career at Division II Ferris State and only arrived in Oxford as a backup to presumed preseason starter Austin Simmons.
Chambliss' lawsuit against the NCAA is trying to get a temporary injunction granted, which would bar the NCAA from preventing him from playing in 2026. After redshirting in 2021, Chambliss claims that he did not play in the 2022 season due to medical problems the governing body did not appropriately address.
The Steelers would have likely been at the front of the line when it came to examining Chambliss, as they could have used some serious NFL Draft capital to select him if he managed to impress with both his arm talent and his size. Unfortunately, he may be too interested in one more amateur season.
The only player outside of the first round who could make sense for Pittsburgh when Chambliss is taken out of the equation is LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, as picking Penn State's Drew Allar or Miami's Carson Beck has too many holes to invest that sort of capital in them.
Given how thin the free agent class is under center, if the Steelers are either unable to acquire Alabama's Ty Simpson in the first round or decide that he isn't a very good fit for Mike McCarthy's offense, there's a very good chance that Pittsburgh ends up getting shut out in the great chase for a new passer.