Analyst shares controversial take about Ty Simpson, Steelers' Will Howard

With Aaron Rodgers still unsigned as of the third Wednesday of April, whispers have grown louder suggesting that the Pittsburgh Steelers could and even should make Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson the 21st overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on the night of April 23. 

For a recent New York Post Sports video, analyst Adam Schein offered what could be viewed as a controversial take regarding Simpson and current Steelers quarterback Will Howard. 

Do the Steelers already have a better option than Ty Simpson on the roster?

"I'm not necessarily a huge believer when it comes to Will Howard as an NFL starting quarterback," Schein explained, per Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot. "...I do think he can potentially start and play [in the] right system. I do think...Will Howard is better than Ty Simpson."

Schein is hardly the first noteworthy member of the NFL community to say in April that Simpson isn't a first-round talent. For a mock draft shared on Wednesday, Dane Brugler of The Athletic predicted that the Arizona Cardinals would be able to get Simpson early in the draft's second round (overall pick No. 34). 

As for Howard, the 2025 sixth-round draft pick took no in-game snaps as a rookie but has a fan in Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy. In late March, McCarthy revealed that he would've grabbed Howard earlier during last year's player-selection process had the coach been with a club at the time. 

Ty Simpson "not the guy" for the Steelers at this time?

"Ty Simpson is not the guy," Schein added during his comments about the Steelers. "...If you need help on the offensive line, if you need help on defense, if you can even draft another wide receiver at some point in the first three rounds, you don't mess around when it comes to the quarterback position." 

For what it's worth, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. also predicted on Wednesday that the Steelers will pass on drafting Simpson and will instead take Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane at pick No. 21. The Steelers reportedly won't feel "forced" to draft a quarterback this year even though there may only be a "50-50" chance that Rodgers plays for the club later this year.