There is no secrecy around the Pittsburgh Steelers' interest in the quarterback prospects for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. They have Aaron Rodgers as their top signal caller this season, but it's unlikely he will return. Pittsburgh saw its favorite football team secure a high-scoring victory in Week 1 of the regular season, but the draft process is something that's always evolving.
Adding a quarterback from a draft full of talented signal callers is something the Steelers would love to accomplish. They have been scouting many of the top prospects at the position during the first couple of weeks of the collegiate campaign. According to Alan Saunders of Steelers Now, the organization sent scouts on the road to get a close look at two highly sought-after quarterbacks.
Pittsburgh was in State College to witness the Penn State Nittany Lions take on FIU, which resulted in a bumpy blowout for the Nittany Lions. The Steelers also sent a scout to Oklahoma to witness a tough battle between the Sooners and the Michigan Wolverines. Both games carry two standout quarterback prospects who project to be top picks in the 2026 draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers got to watch 2026 NFL Draft quarterback prospects up close
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
First up for the Steelers was heading up the road a few hours to reach State College. Penn State has become a pipeline of talent for the NFL, and its starting quarterback, Drew Allar, has lofty expectations this season. The Nittany Lions are favored to be in the National Championship mix, which Allar must live up to. Otherwise, things could get testy for Penn State this year.
It wasn't a pretty game for Allar and the Nittany Lions. The prototypical NFL quarterback prospect didn't do anything great against an inferior team. This might have diminished the Steelers' interest in the Ben Roethlisberger-type quarterback. The Penn State signal caller has a lot of games to establish himself, but he must show up in big games to cement his status as a top prospect.
READ MORE: Steelers’ obsession with 2026 NFL Draft quarterbacks is already undeniable
John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma
No name among the potential quarterbacks entering the 2026 NFL Draft has risen more than John Mateer. He had high expectations to turn the Oklahoma Sooners program around this season, and it's going well. He just led the program to a grueling win over Michigan. Mateer had a fantastic game, and according to Saunders, the Steelers watched in person.
"The Steelers also had a scout at one of the biggest games of the college football weekend, with Oklahoma and quarterback John Mateer upsetting Michigan," Saunders mentioned.
Mateer carried his team on his back and found ways to will his team to victory. He produced three touchdowns on the day, one passing and two rushing. He is an exciting quarterback who exemplifies the modern style of football. The Steelers would be thrilled to land someone of his stature, but if Mateer only improves as the season progresses, he might be out of their reach.