Ty Simpson makes final pitch to Steelers amid NFL Draft uncertainty

As of Thursday morning, the draft stock of Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson remained a moving target among NFL media analysts and reporters. 

At that same time, outsiders still didn't know if Aaron Rodgers would return to the Pittsburgh Steelers to serve as their starter for the 2026 season. During an event on Wednesday evening, Simpson made somewhat of a pitch to a Steelers team that currently doesn't have a proven QB1 on its roster. 

Ty Simpson feels he would "fit right in" with Steelers

"I didn’t have any expectations, but I’ve learned to really grow fond of it," Simpson said about Pittsburgh, the host city of this year's draft, per Brendan Howe of Steelers Now. "Just how people take pride in (the city). You guys who live in Pittsburgh, y’all take pride in being a Pirates fan, being a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, living here. That’s something that I value because — guess what — I stayed at Alabama, I value being from Martin, Tenn., I value being from Tennessee. It’s just something that I feel like, this place, I would fit right in here."

Recent comments made by Steelers president Art Rooney II left some believing that the club expects to have Rodgers signed before the Memorial Day holiday arrives. As Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports noted, Rooney also "more or less ruled out Pittsburgh taking a quarterback in the first round in a recent interview." 

However, some thought as of Thursday morning that Simpson could fall all the way to the second round of this year's draft. The New York Jets hold the first pick of the second round and reportedly could trade their selection to a team that wants Simpson.

"Would there be a way for the Steelers to send a package to the Jets and get in front of Arizona come Friday night if they want Simpson enough?" Jones asked. 

It sounds like Simpson would be just fine if such a scenario played out. 

How Ty Simpson handled uncertainty regarding his draft status

"Everybody just says, 'Take it all in and have fun,'" Simpson said about his experiences leading up to the draft. "It’s something that most people just nod and shake their head like, 'Yeah, yeah, I get it.' But now that it’s here, it’s like, 'You know what? You’re exactly right.' How great is it gonna be to be able to tell my kids one day that I was here at the NFL Draft? And not only here, but in Pittsburgh. It’s something that I will cherish for the rest of my life."

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban believes Simpson "needs to go someplace where he has a chance to develop and not play right away." The Steelers could be that place if they truly know that they will have Rodgers back atop the depth chart by the time their summer break begins in June.