Steelers linked with this quarterback prospect amid Ty Simpson NFL Draft rumors

Even if Aaron Rodgers eventually returns to the Pittsburgh Steelers to serve as their starting quarterback for the 2026 season, the fact that he is 42 years old has many assuming Pittsburgh will grab a signal-caller during the 2026 NFL Draft. 

As rumors continue to suggest that Alabama's Ty Simpson could slide all the way out of the draft's first round, some understandably have wondered if the Steelers could take a flier on him later this month. During Friday's edition of the ESPN "Get Up" program, analyst Ben Solak linked Pittsburgh with a different quarterback prospect. 

Is LSU's Garrett Nussmeier ideal for the Steelers? 

As shared by Josh Carney of Steelers Depot, Solak predicted that Pittsburgh will grab LSU's Garrett Nussmeier with a third-round pick. 

"The Steelers, I think, are very likely to take a quarterback in one of the first three rounds, even if Rodgers returns," Solak explained. 

A recent report indicated that the Steelers won't feel "forced" to draft a quarterback this year, in part because they have 2025 rookie Will Howard on the roster. That said, neither Rodgers nor longtime backup Mason Rudolph is a long-term answer at the position for any team. Thus, the Steelers theoretically could have Howard be their QB2 later this year while Nussmeier develops as an unused backup. 

Why could Garrett Nussmeier be right for Steelers?

Recently, ESPN's Brooke Pryor noted that new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy has done "homework on several prospects in the quarterback class," including Nussmeier. 

"Nussmeier's got a live arm," Solak added during the segment. "He's a very creative thrower, and he has got good pocket management. Now, he's too aggressive. He really likes to push the ball down the field. We have to dial that back in the NFL, but there's a starter in here for sure with the year of development." 

It seems as if just about every person who covers the Steelers believes Rodgers will return to the organization. Pittsburgh allowing a project such as Nussmeier to basically experience a red-shirt rookie campaign could produce a competition for the club's starting quarterback job involving that prospect and Howard next summer.