Steelers Now
The NFL regular season isn’t even over yet, but The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has already penned his 2026 NFL Draft mock-up. If things go according to his projection, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have their quarterback of the future as the next campaign gets underway.
Brugler had the Steelers selecting Alabama Crimson Tide signal-caller Ty Simpson with the No. 14 overall pick.
“Another offseason in which the Steelers will find themselves at a quarterback crossroads…” Brugler wrote. “Even if his inexperience is an understandable concern, Simpson processes quickly, negotiates pressure and gives his receivers chances to make plays. It wouldn’t be surprising if he returns to Tuscaloosa, but there will be several interested teams in the top half of Round 1 if he declares.”
Through 12 games this season, Simpson went 256 for 389 through the air, passing for 3,056 yards, 25 touchdowns and four interceptions. The Associated Press listed him as a midseason All-American.
Simpson was the third quarterback taken off the board in that scenario. The Cleveland Browns plucked Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall choice after acquiring it from the Tennessee Titans. At No. 2, the Las Vegas Raiders also traded up, to take Oregon’s Dante Moore.
Simpson was tabbed as On3’s No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 class. He’d bided his time behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe before getting his chance to take the reins this go-round.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Take Promising QB in New Mock Draft
