Steelers tipped to snatch Aaron Rodgers replacement from Rams as 2026 NFL Draft plan laid out

Feb 24, 2026 - 10:15

The 2026 NFL Draft is fast approaching, and this year’s class will have a chance to impress at the scouting combine later this week.

When it comes to top-rated prospects, Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is the expected No. 1 pick.

Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza celebrates a touchdown during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide — Mendoza is the runaway No. 1 pick, but the QB class behind him is thin

He has long been projected to land with the Las Vegas Raiders, who possess the prized selection.

But behind him, the picture is far from clear — especially when it concerns the rest of the quarterback class.

Mendoza was the best signal caller in college football last year, leading the Hoosiers’ to a first ever national championship.

His buzz only grew when the likes of Trinidad Chambliss and Arch Manning returned to school.

There are plenty of NFL teams with a need at the position heading into 2026, but after Mendoza, it might be a while before another QB’s name is called on draft night.

Two franchises, though, look set to battle over Ty Simpson late in the first round.

Steelers and Rams eye Alabama quarterback prospect

While he’s not a name that has created major draft buzz, Simpson will likely be the second quarterback off the board in April.

He threw 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns for Alabama last season, and led the Crimson Tide to an 11-4 record and the CFP quarterfinals.

The Los Angeles Rams are said to have zeroed in Simpson, and could opt to sit him behind recently-crowned MVP Matthew Stafford for a year, especially with two first round selections at their disposal.

However, according to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, the Pittsburgh Steelers could take him off the board before then.

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers looks on from the field after an NFL playoff game against the Houston Texans — Rodgers is expected to return to the Steelers for one more season

Alabama QB Ty Simpson before the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl — Pittsburgh have been tipped to draft his long-term replacement, Simpson

After Mike McCarthy was appointed as the man to replace Mike Tomlin, Aaron Rodgers is expected back for a reunion with the same coach he won his own Super Bowl with.

The odds of a return continue to rise, but nothing has been made official yet and with the future of the position up in the air, Pittsburgh are reported to have been watching Simpson closely.

Steelers could take Aaron Rodgers replacement in 2026 draft

“In his latest mock draft, ESPN’s Field Yates has the Steelers using their No. 21 pick on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson,” Pryor wrote this past weekend.

“The Steelers have closely watched Simpson, who threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in his lone season as a full-time starter for the Crimson Tide.

“But while there is an upside to Simpson, he also struggled with decision-making late in the season.

“He completed a season-low 49 percent of pass attempts in the SEC championship loss to Georgia, and four of his five interceptions came in the final six games.”

Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up before a game against the South Carolina Gamecocks — Simpson has previously been linked to the Rams, but the Steelers pick before them

While they have some doubts, Pittsburgh could plan to use their first-round pick (No. 21) on Simpson.

Pryor added that the team has been in this kind of position before, when they selected Kenny Pickett 20th overall in 2022.

That quarterback class was not strong, and Pickett was the only signal caller to come off the board in the first round that year.

He was later traded to the Philadelphia Eagles and backed up Jalen Hurts, before spending last year’s training camp in a five-way Cleveland Browns QB battle, later departing for the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Like 2022, there have been plenty of questions over this year’s draft talent.

“The Steelers did their homework on the 2026 quarterback class throughout the 2025 college football season, but the group is undeniably thin,” Pryor wrote.

“Beyond Simpson, the 2026 QB class is significantly backloaded as some of the most intriguing pro prospects like Trinidad Chambliss and Arch Manning returned to college.”

Pryor concluded that Pittsburgh could well take a chance on Simpson, or on one of Drew Allar (Penn State), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) or Carson Beck (Miami), should they wish to sit a prospect behind Rodgers next season.

Is Ty Simpson a better prospect than current Steelers backups?

The Steelers, of course, already have a couple of players learning behind Rodgers.

Steelers quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Will Howard talk with the referee prior to a game against the Cincinnati Bengals — It’s unclear if rookie Howard has done enough to take the Steelers’ starting QB role

Will Howard was drafted in the sixth round last year, and while he did not see the field in an injury-hit 2025 season, he could perhaps stake a claim for the future starting spot.

Mason Rudolph, meanwhile, was Rodgers’ backup last season and featured in five games.

But with just 30 touchdown and 22 interceptions across eight NFL seasons, he has likely hit his ceiling as a backup, and won’t be handed the keys to the franchise.

The Steelers, then, could look outwards in 2026 — and Simpson could be the true future in Pittsburgh.

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