New Aaron Rodgers update reignites talk of Steelers making this Ty Simpson decision

It was suggested as recently as last week that Aaron Rodgers remaining unsigned would not necessarily result in the Pittsburgh Steelers making Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson the 21st overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft this coming Thursday night. 

However, whispers linking the Steelers with Simpson may now grow louder leading up to the start of the player-selection process. 

Steelers make this quarterback decision amid Aaron Rodgers uncertainty 

On Monday morning, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport shared that the Steelers "have not received word from Aaron Rodgers on his future and there is no expectation of a final decision prior to the NFL Draft." Unproven 2025 rookie Will Howard is expected to serve as Pittsburgh's temporary QB1 when the club's bonus minicamp sessions begin later on Monday. 

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, head coach Mike McCarthy and Steelers officials have "been in regular communication" with Rodgers ever since Pittsburgh hired McCarthy this past winter. McCarthy was Rodgers' head coach when the two were employed by the Green Bay Packers from 2006 through a portion of the 2018 season. 

"To this point," Pelissero explained, "[Rodgers] has not told the Steelers affirmatively that he is going to be back in Pittsburgh to play a 22nd NFL season." 

Pelissero also hinted that the Steelers would like to have Rodgers back in the building before the start of organized team activities in mid-May. Last spring, Rodgers didn't sign with the Steelers until right before their mandatory minicamp began in June. People within the organization reportedly remain confident that he will sign another one-year contract with Pittsburgh at some point.

"It may still be a few more weeks until we know, for sure, what his plans are for 2026," Pelissero added about Rodgers. 

Will the Steelers panic if Aaron Rodgers doesn't sign by the start of the draft? 

Also on Monday morning, ESPN's Adam Schefter addressed how Rodgers staying unsigned through Thursday night could impact what the Steelers do in the draft's first round. 

"If Rodgers has not informed the team by Thursday night that he does in fact intend to return," Schefter said, "Pittsburgh will need to have conversations about whether Simpson is in play with the No. 21 pick. But either way, the team is looking at taking a QB somewhere over the course of seven rounds. The Steelers met with three QBs at the combine: Simpson, Penn State's Drew Allar and Miami's Carson Beck (who also went to Pittsburgh for a top-30 visit). But the longer the Steelers go without an answer from the quarterback they want, the more they will have to consider using a higher pick at the position."

Steelers reporter Mike DeFabo of The Athletic is among those who think the club will target Allar or Beck later in the draft, regardless of Rodgers' status on Thursday. It sounds like not everybody is convinced Pittsburgh will pass on Simpson at No. 21 if Rodgers is still a free agent when that pick has to be spent.