Steelers reporter makes bold claim about Ty Simpson draft rumors

ESPN personalities Field Yates and Mel Kiper Jr. are among those who have recently suggested that the Pittsburgh Steelers should and would make Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson the 21st overall pick of the 2026 draft if Simpson is available. 

On Tuesday, Steelers reporter Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was asked how likely it is that the club would grab Simpson in the first round of the upcoming player-selection process. 

Will history cause the Steelers to pass on Ty Simpson?

"I'll say one percent," Fittipaldo wrote. "I just don't see them taking another chance on a QB with questionable first-round talent. They cannot afford to make that mistake again, especially with the 2027 class looking much more promising." 

Fittipaldo was referencing how the Steelers made quarterback Kenny Pickett the 20th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh gave up on Pickett after just two seasons, and he has since spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Raiders.  

Meanwhile, The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner noted on Monday that "Simpson’s arm talent isn’t elite enough to get him out of jams the way some others in this class can." Baumgardner also hinted that some doubt Simpson is "ready to lead an NFL offense next season." 

Do Steelers believe their future long-term quarterback is already on the roster?

2025 sixth-round draft pick Will Howard has become a polarizing figure among Pittsburgh fans and local media members. Some want to see how Howard grew while learning from future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, while others mentioned that the developmental prospect didn't receive much of a chance to improve because he suffered a hand injury during training camp and then took zero meaningful snaps as a rookie. 

According to Fittipaldo, the Steelers are high on Howard following the hiring of head coach Mike McCarthy in January.

"Good coaches can find out a lot about a player in practices," Fittipaldo explained. "That's why the Steelers like Howard. They saw him interact with his teammates in the spring and summer before he got hurt. He has a presence about him. He has leadership skills. He can move around a little. Now they have to find out if he can make NFL throws on a consistent basis and process the game the way McCarthy needs him to process."

It sounds like the Steelers may not draft a quarterback this spring if Rodgers returns to serve as Pittsburgh's starter for another season, as expected.