Steelers Now
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has officially declared for the NFL Draft, per Pete Nakos, and his decision could immediately adds another layer to what could be a pivotal offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh had sent a scout to watch Simpson earlier in the season.
Simpson is coming off a strong redshirt junior campaign, his first full season as the starter for the Crimson Tide. He helped guide Alabama to a Rose Bowl appearance while throwing for over 3,500 yards and 28 touchdowns, showing steady growth as the year went on and flashing traits that NFL teams look for in developmental quarterbacks. With Pittsburgh expected by many around the league to at least explore the quarterback position in this draft, Simpson is a name that could make sense given where the Steelers currently stand.
Much of that conversation revolves around Aaron Rodgers. At 41 years old, there is a growing belief that what fans are watching now could be Rodgers’ final run at a Lombardi Trophy. Even if he elects to return for another season, the Steelers are approaching a point where preparing for the future at quarterback is no longer optional. Drafting a young passer who could sit, develop, and learn behind a future Hall of Famer would align with that timeline.
Pittsburgh did draft Will Howard, the 2024 College Football Playoff champion, last year, but the former sixth-round pick remains third on the depth chart and has yet to see the field in a meaningful way. While there are still believers that Howard deserves a real opportunity and could become a late-round sleeper, the reality is that teams rarely pass on drafting quarterbacks simply because of a Day 3 pick already on the roster.
Simpson’s path to the draft is also familiar territory for the Steelers. He took over for Jalen Milroe at Alabama, a quarterback Pittsburgh was heavily linked to during last year’s draft process before ultimately passing multiple times. Now, once again, an Alabama quarterback with upside is entering the conversation at a time when the Steelers’ long-term plan under center remains unclear.
The draft order is still not finalized with the playoffs ongoing, but Pittsburgh is currently projected to select somewhere in the early 20s. As always, that projection could change, and the pre-draft process will play a major role in shaping where Simpson ultimately lands. The Senior Bowl, NFL Combine, and Pro Days will all be critical checkpoints for him and the rest of the quarterback class.
The Steelers know better than most how costly a miss at quarterback can be. Their last notable attempt before Howard was Kenny Pickett, a pick that ultimately did not work out. If Pittsburgh decides to take another swing at the position in this draft, whether it’s Simpson or another prospect, the hope is that this time the process, and the result, will look very different.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Potential First-Round Steelers QB Target Declares for 2026 NFL Draft
