Steelers Now
New Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy may already have an indirect connection to a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft class, one that could come into play as early as this April.
During McCarthy’s tenure in Dallas from 2020-22, Doug Nussmeier served as the Cowboys’ quarterbacks coach. Nussmeier, of course, is the father of LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, a draft-eligible prospect whose stock remains one of the more intriguing storylines in this class. While that connection doesn’t guarantee anything, it does suggest a level of familiarity, both philosophically and schematically, that could matter if Pittsburgh is evaluating Nussmeier seriously.
Having grown up around NFL quarterback rooms, and with a father who coached directly under McCarthy, Nussmeier has almost certainly been exposed to the teaching methods, terminology, and offensive structure McCarthy prefers. For a franchise now prioritizing offensive cohesion and quarterback development, that kind of background can quietly carry weight.
Entering the 2025 college football season, Nussmeier was widely viewed as a potential Day 1 quarterback and one of the premier passers in the country. However, a disappointing year altered that perception. Nussmeier was eventually shut down after reportedly playing through an abdominal injury and patellar tendinitis, two issues that likely contributed to his inconsistent performance. As a result, his draft projection has slipped into the Day 2 range — currently No. 66 on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board — a window where the Steelers could realistically consider taking a calculated swing.
The quarterback situation in Pittsburgh remains unresolved. Aaron Rodgers has yet to officially retire, leaving the door open for a potential return, especially now that he would be reunited with the coach he won a Super Bowl with. Even if Rodgers does come back, many fans believe former 2024 college standout Will Howard deserves a legitimate opportunity, despite being a sixth-round pick who has yet to take an NFL snap.
Regardless of who ultimately lines up under center in Week 1, the situation is notable. For the first time in recent memory, the Steelers are led by a head coach widely regarded as an offensive mind. That alone marks a philosophical shift for a franchise long defined by defensive identity and quarterback conservatism.
Since Ben Roethlisberger retired, Pittsburgh has struggled to find a stable answer at the position. Whether that solution comes via a veteran, an internal option, or a draft pick like Nussmeier, the quarterback conversation isn’t going away anytime soon, and under McCarthy, it may finally start to move in a new direction.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: New Steelers Coach Mike McCarthy Has Quiet Tie to 2026 NFL Draft QB Prospect
