Pittsburgh Steelers Predicted to Land ‘Controversial’ QB

The Pittsburgh Steelers already understand that 2026 will mark the end of an era at quarterback. Aaron Rodgers has made clear this season will be his last in the NFL, leaving the organization with a mix of veteran and young options behind him in Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and 2026 third-round pick Drew Allar.

Yet one early projection for the 2027 NFL Draft suggests the Steelers may not be content to hand the keys to any of those players.

In a recent seven-round mock draft from Draft Sharks, analyst Shane Hallam had Pittsburgh selecting Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin with the ninth overall pick.

Hallam based his draft order on Super Bowl betting odds rather than a direct forecast of regular-season standings, so the Steelers’ spot does not necessarily imply they will finish with one of the league’s worst records. Still, the choice of Sayin carries significant weight.

He was the fourth quarterback Hallam placed inside the top nine, trailing only Arch Manning, Dante Moore, and LaNorris Sellers.

“Sayin will be a controversial prospect,” Hallam wrote. “He certainly is propped up by his offense with WR Jeremiah Smith as his main target. But, his weak arm strength and lack of highlight throws makes him a tough sell. Even so, his accuracy and ability to work within a system fits well with HC Mike McCarthy and could make him the Steelers QB of the future.”

Sayin enters his second year as Ohio State’s starter coming off one of the most efficient seasons in college football. In 2025 he completed a nation-leading 77 percent of his passes for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

He ranked second nationally in passing efficiency and earned a place among the Heisman Trophy finalists. Those numbers give him a strong foundation heading into a campaign that will largely determine whether he develops into the kind of top-10 prospect Hallam envisions.

For Pittsburgh, the larger question may be what such a selection would mean for Allar and Howard. The Steelers have spoken highly of Allar’s arm talent and upside since drafting him, while Howard remains part of the developmental mix.

Head coach Mike McCarthy even joked earlier about wanting enough roster spots to keep four quarterbacks he liked. A top-10 investment in Sayin, however, would signal that the organization is not prepared to wait indefinitely on its current young passers. T

eams rarely spend early first-round capital on a quarterback only to have him sit behind later-round selections for years.

In that sense, the 2026 season becomes more than Rodgers’ farewell tour.

It will serve as an extended audition for the players already on the roster and a test of whether Pittsburgh believes its next franchise quarterback is already in the building—or whether another major investment is required.