University of Kwazulu-Natal

Steelers Land Alabama Star Qb In Latest Mock Draft

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
steelers land alabama star qb in latest mock draft

Pro Football Network has the Pittsburgh Steelers landing Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at 26th overall in their latest 2026 mock draft. Simpson officially declared for the NFL Draft on Wednesday, and his decision could immediately adds another layer to what could be a pivotal offseason for the Steelers. There’s still a slew of question marks regarding the Steelers’ plan at quarterback, however. “Will Aaron Rodgers retire this offseason? That’s a question the NFL has seemingly been asking for the last four or five years. I’ll believe it when I see it, but even if he returns in 2026 for his 22nd year in the league, the Pittsburgh Steelers will eventually need to look for his successor in the...

“Ty Simpson is only a one-year starter in college, but he’s pretty advanced given his limited playing time. A backup to Jalen Milroe last year, Simpson isn’t quite as athletic or has as strong an arm as his predecessor, but he’s a much more polished passer. He identifies soft spots in zone coverage well and exploits them accordingly. He does a good job of finding the open man, and he’s an accurate thrower of the football.” 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...

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. 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... 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... 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...

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. PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have needed a franchise quarterback since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. The attempts have been futile, with players Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and now Aaron Rodgers trying and failing to succeed Big Ben. As the carousel goes around and around, hopes are now solely focused on the Steelers landing that player at the 2026 NFL Draft.

The organization has been projected to draft a quarterback early for months now, but according to the latest mock draft from The Athletic, they might land one their next starter in the first round. Dane Brugler of The Athletic released his latest NFL mock draft, and he projects the Steelers to take on an exciting prospect in Alabama Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson. Brugler explains why the 22-year-old junior might be the answer in Pittsburgh. "Another offseason in which the Steelers will find themselves at a quarterback crossroads," he 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."

Many view Simpson as a player with a high ceiling. He possesses the ideal size for a quarterback, coming in at 6'2" and just under 210 pounds. He's a former five-star recruit out of high school, and he's showing why that was the case in his first season as the Crimson Tide's starter. There's no debating that finding the quarterback successor to Aaron Rodgers is pretty high on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ to-do list, and that's exactly what they accomplish in a new 2026 NFL mock draft. In ESPN's latest mock, Jordan Reid projected the Steelers to select Alabama QB Ty Simpson with the 30th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft — a no-brainer selection if the Crimson Tide signal-caller... "It's essential for the Steelers to find the heir apparent under center to soon-to-be 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, and I think Simpson has been the most impressive of the draft-eligible quarterbacks," Reid wrote.

"Despite the need, Pittsburgh waited until Round 6 to pick a QB this past April (Will Howard). It can't wait that long again. Like Moore, Simpson is an inexperienced starter (all six career starts have come this season). It's not certain that Simpson will declare for the 2026 draft, but league evaluators have taken notice of his impressive stretches this season. He has thrown 16 TD passes and just one interception this season." Joining Alabama in January 2022, Simpson was finally named the starting QB in 2025 for his junior season and hasn’t disappointed through six games — completing 134 of 189 pass attempts for 1,678 yards...

He's also picked up two rushing touchdowns on the ground. While we're a long way away from next April's draft, hearing Simpson's name called in Pittsburgh of all places would drive Steelers Nation into a frenzy as the long-term quarterback woes may finally be... Editor's Note: This story was updated with new information The Alabama quarterback announced the decision on social media on Wednesday, Jan. 7 that he's declaring for the NFL draft. It was also reported by The Tuscaloosa News — part of the USA TODAY Network — on Jan.

7 that Simpson informed Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide staff of his decision on Wednesday. "Growing up in a small town like Martin (Tennessee) didn't stop me from having big dreams. But man, that first visit from Coach Saban was surreal. The legend was in our house, eating my mom's cooking, painting a picture of what it would be like to play for the Crimson Tide. Coach told me straight up it wasn't going to be easy, but he told me if I trusted the process, it would be a ride worth taking," Simpson said in a heartfelt video on... "I chose Alabama then, and I'd do it a thousand times over."

The decision comes less than a week after Alabama struggled in the College Football Playoff Rose Bowl quarterfinal against No. 1 Indiana. Simpson did not finish the Crimson Tide's 38-3 loss to the Hoosiers, as he was pulled out by DeBoer following Alabama's first drive in the second half for what was called a "coach's decision"... The NFL Draft is where rosters are reshaped, and franchises define their future in a matter of hours. Whether it’s a rebuilding franchise searching for a cornerstone or a contender looking for the final piece, each pick carries ripple effects far beyond draft night. This mock draft, created on our PFSN NFL Mock Draft Simulator, reflects that tension, blending team needs, schematic fits, and league-wide trends that continue to shape the modern NFL.

Following the firing of Pete Carroll, it appears that Las Vegas’ next head coach will have the opportunity for a fresh start and can utilize the No. 1 pick to select a new quarterback for the organization. At 6-foot-5, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza has demonstrated that he is worthy of being the first quarterback selected in the 2026 draft. Mendoza is remarkably accurate with his throws on all three levels of the field, placing the football in tight windows that most gunslingers in this class wouldn’t even attempt. His football IQ is undeniably elite; he effectively manipulates safeties and reads blitzes at the line of scrimmage like a seasoned veteran. While he may not impress scouts with his athleticism, he consistently does everything necessary to secure wins, which is precisely what the Raiders need.

People Also Search

Pro Football Network Has The Pittsburgh Steelers Landing Alabama Quarterback

Pro Football Network has the Pittsburgh Steelers landing Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at 26th overall in their latest 2026 mock draft. Simpson officially declared for the NFL Draft on Wednesday, and his decision could immediately adds another layer to what could be a pivotal offseason for the Steelers. There’s still a slew of question marks regarding the Steelers’ plan at quarterback, however. “...

“Ty Simpson Is Only A One-year Starter In College, But

“Ty Simpson is only a one-year starter in college, but he’s pretty advanced given his limited playing time. A backup to Jalen Milroe last year, Simpson isn’t quite as athletic or has as strong an arm as his predecessor, but he’s a much more polished passer. He identifies soft spots in zone coverage well and exploits them accordingly. He does a good job of finding the open man, and he’s an accurate...

With Pittsburgh Expected By Many Around The League To At

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. 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 Steeler...

Much Of That Conversation Revolves Around Aaron Rodgers. At 41

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...

Simpson’s Path To The Draft Is Also Familiar Territory For

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. PITTSBUR...