Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II stated that the team probably will not draft a quarterback with its No. 21 pick in Thursday's first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. In a pre-draft interview with WTAE’s Andrew Stockey, Rooney kept options open for other positions like wide receiver, offensive line or secondary, echoing recent analyst reports ruling out early picks like Alabama's Ty Simpson.
Art Rooney II addressed the Steelers' draft plans ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which Pittsburgh is hosting this week. Holding the 21st overall pick, Rooney said, “It’s probably not going to be a quarterback... But beyond that it’s wide open.”
The comments align with earlier analyst sentiments, such as Todd McShay definitively ruling out Ty Simpson at No. 21. The Steelers have shown limited interest in top quarterback prospects like Simpson, who at 6-1 and 211 pounds from a southern program does not match Pittsburgh's preference for an "AFC North" style QB with size and experience in tough elements. Neither head coach Mike McCarthy nor general manager Omar Khan attended Simpson’s pro day, and he was not among the four quarterbacks invited for pre-draft visits.
Instead, the team hosted Penn State’s Drew Allar, Miami (FL)’s Carson Beck, Arkansas’ Taylen Green and North Dakota State’s Cole Payton, with Allar potentially favored for later rounds. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Simpson lead current quarterback rankings, but the field thins quickly.
Pittsburgh also values 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard, whom McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio have praised highly despite limited snaps last season. Indications are that Aaron Rodgers plans to return.
