Steelers Urged to End QB Carousel as Ty Simpson Emerges as Draft Target

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2026 offseason once again searching for stability at quarterback, a position that has remained unresolved since the departure of Kenny Pickett in 2023. Despite multiple attempts to address the role, the franchise continues to cycle through short-term solutions without securing a long-term answer.

Under head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh has experimented with veteran quarterbacks in recent seasons, including Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Aaron Rodgers. While each brought experience, none provided the sustained success the organization has been seeking.

The result has been a familiar pattern: competitive enough to remain in the playoff conversation, but not strong enough to contend for a Super Bowl or secure premium draft positioning. That middle ground has left the franchise in a difficult long-term planning cycle.

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, renewed debate has emerged about whether Pittsburgh must finally commit to a developmental quarterback strategy rather than continuing with short-term fixes.

1. Analyst Calls For A Reset At Quarterback

ESPN analyst Marc Spears has been among the voices urging the Steelers to take a decisive step toward the future by targeting quarterback Ty Simpson in the upcoming draft. His argument centers on ending the franchise’s ongoing quarterback instability. Spears emphasized that Pittsburgh’s repeated attempts to patch the position have created a cycle of mediocrity rather than progress. He suggested that the organization has consistently tried to remain competitive in the short term at the expense of long-term development. The Steelers’ organizational pride, he noted, often prevents them from embracing a rebuilding approach, even when circumstances might warrant it. That mindset has contributed to their reluctance to fully reset at quarterback. Instead, the franchise has frequently opted for veteran stopgaps in hopes of maintaining competitiveness, a strategy Spears believes has run its course.

2. The Cost Of Staying Competitive Without A Franchise QB

According to Spears, the core issue facing Pittsburgh is its inability to commit to a long-term quarterback plan. While the team has remained competitive, it has not positioned itself to secure elite talent at the position. He argued that without high-level quarterback play, even strong defensive units and experienced coaching staffs cannot sustain championship-level success. That reality places additional pressure on the Steelers’ decision-making in the draft. Spears also noted that the team’s defense, once the foundation of its identity, is aging and no longer capable of carrying the franchise on its own. That shift increases the urgency to find offensive stability. With no clear long-term quarterback on the roster, Pittsburgh risks continuing its cycle of mid-tier performance unless it makes a decisive investment in a young signal-caller.

3. Ty Simpson’s Draft Appeal And Steelers’ Decision Point

Ty Simpson has emerged as a popular mid-first-round projection for teams in need of a quarterback, including the Steelers if he remains available at their draft position. His rise has been fueled by strong performances in key games during the 2025 season. While Simpson did not accumulate the same volume of starts as other top prospects, evaluators have pointed to standout showings against programs such as Wisconsin and Vanderbilt as evidence of his high-level potential. Those performances helped solidify his draft stock. For Pittsburgh, selecting Simpson would represent a shift toward long-term development rather than immediate reliance on veterans. It would also signal a willingness to invest in growing a quarterback within the system. Given the possibility that quarterback-needy teams could select him shortly after Pittsburgh’s pick, the Steelers may face a narrow window if they hope to secure him in the first round.