Todd McShay knows 'for a fact' Steelers will make this Ty Simpson draft decision

A new report surfaced suggesting that the Pittsburgh Steelers want to select Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft and then have Simpson spend his rookie season learning as a backup for future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. 

However, draft guru Todd McShay of The Ringer later poured cold water over that claim during an edition of his podcast. 

Have Steelers already made final Ty Simpson draft decision? 

"The question is, who's their quarterback?" McShay said about the Steelers, per Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot. "...It's not Ty Simpson at (overall pick) 21. I can tell you that for a fact. I have heard them linked with Carson Beck, so that's just something to keep an eye on...I think Round 3 probably would be the range (when Pittsburgh could grab Beck). 

The Steelers met with Simpson, Beck out of Miami and Penn State’s Drew Allar during this year's scouting combine. However, it was said as recently as Monday that Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Omar Khan meant it when they previously hinted that they are high on 2025 sixth-round draft pick/developmental project Will Howard. Assuming that's the case, the Steelers could wait until the draft's last day to take a flier on a signal-caller or not draft a quarterback at all this year. 

Will Ty Simpson even fall to Steelers at pick No. 21?

For his latest mock draft published on Tuesday, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. predicted that the New York Jets will make Simpson the 16th overall pick of this year's draft. The Jets recently brought journeyman veteran Geno Smith back to the organization, and they have also officially given up on Justin Fields. 

As it pertains to Rodgers' future, most seem to believe it is a matter of when and not if he will sign a contract with the Steelers to serve as their starter for the 2026 season. Unless Pittsburgh either gets lucky or is willing to move up in the draft order for Simpson, it appears Rodgers will once again be mentoring Howard later this year.