Steelers Now
In the latest CBS Sports mock draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers were projected to answer their long-term quarterback question by selecting Fernando Mendoza with the 14th overall pick.
Mendoza spent his first three seasons at California with the Golden Bears, where he posted over 3,000 passing yards in a breakout redshirt sophomore campaign. This past offseason, he entered the transfer portal and ultimately chose to take his talents to Indiana, where he’ll suit up for the Hoosiers this fall. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds with a strong arm, Mendoza fits the mold of a traditional pocket passer but also brings underrated athleticism to the position.
The mock also had four other quarterbacks going in the first round, including several names the Steelers have reportedly been tied to, such as Penn State’s Drew Allar and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers. While it’s still early in the scouting process and much can change, the initial outlook suggests a quarterback-rich class in 2025.
That timing could be ideal for the Steelers, who have yet to find a consistent answer under center since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. The team remains heavily rumored to be pursuing Aaron Rodgers, but with no deal finalized, questions continue to swirl. Even if the Steelers land the four-time MVP, Rodgers, now 41, has shown signs of decline in New York and is unlikely to be a long-term solution.
Pittsburgh also re-signed veteran Mason Rudolph this offseason, but he’s widely viewed as a reliable backup rather than a full-time starter. Additionally, the Steelers selected Ohio State quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round, and while he’s drawn some dark horse buzz, late-round quarterbacks are rarely given the keys to a franchise without proving it first.
Since 2021, the Steelers have cycled through several quarterback options, but none have fully materialized. Their most notable swing came in 2022, when they drafted Kenny Pickett in the first round. Despite flashes of potential, Pickett failed to solidify himself as the long-term answer.
With the 2025 NFL Draft set to take place in Pittsburgh for the first time, it would be fitting for the Steelers to use the occasion to select their quarterback of the future. Whether that’s Mendoza or another top prospect, it’s a storyline well worth monitoring in the months ahead.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Land Dual-Threat QB in Way-Too-Early 2026 Mock Draft
