When it comes to what the 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers could look like, it’s anyone’s guess. After 19 years of Mike Tomlin leading the franchise, a new era begins under head coach Mike McCarthy.

McCarthy has already started building his coaching staff, and he believes the Steelers are positioned to win right away — something he discussed on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“This is not a start over opportunity at all,” McCarthy said. “This is a football team that was in the playoffs last year. To categorize it, it’s a playoff roster.”

The Steelers won the AFC North for the first time in five years, doing so behind veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who stabilized the position for the first time in a long time in Pittsburgh. The issue is Rodgers may have been a one-and-done.

It remains unclear if Rodgers will return, even with his former Green Bay Packers coach now leading the Steelers. McCarthy’s offensive staff decisions could help make Pittsburgh an appealing destination if Rodgers wants one more season, but even if he does come back, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Steelers draft a quarterback in April.

Steelers Eyeing SEC QB

NFL scouts from around the league were in Mobile, Alabama this weekend evaluating prospects at the Senior Bowl. One player who wasn’t able to participate because of injury may have still caught Pittsburgh’s attention.

According to Andrew Fillipponi, the Steelers have interest in Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.

“Excellent Steelers insider Nick Farabaugh says sources at the Senior Bowl are telling him the Steelers REALLY LIKE Alabama QB Ty Simpson. And that he’s on their draft radar,” Fillipponi posted on X.

Simpson is still recovering from injuries late in the season, but he remains one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2026 class. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked him as the No. 2 quarterback in the class behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza — the projected No. 1 overall pick — and listed Simpson as his No. 25 overall prospect.

“His lack of experience might be a concern, as Simpson didn’t start a game until this season, but the production is hard to ignore,” Kiper wrote. “Simpson knows the game and competes on every down. He’s a battler who is always trying to make a play — sometimes to his detriment. And Simpson maneuvers well in the pocket and can beat defenses with his legs when the passing play isn’t there.”

Simpson has been projected in the first round on multiple draft boards, and the Steelers have been mentioned as a possible landing spot in a number of those scenarios.

Steelers’ Draft Position Could Make It Tough

Pittsburgh may not be in the ideal position to land a quarterback early in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Steelers currently hold the No. 21 overall pick in a class that appears thin at the top of the quarterback board.

Simpson could be off the board long before Pittsburgh is on the clock. There’s a scenario where he goes as early as No. 2 overall to the New York Jets, particularly if Mendoza is selected first by the Las Vegas Raiders. Several other teams selecting ahead of the Steelers could also view Simpson as their answer.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer made it clear he believes Simpson is built for the next level.

“Don’t be a fan later,” DeBoer told AL.com. “Everybody likes to criticize him now. Don’t be a fan later. That dude is the exact person for the job. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

Now it’s just a matter of seeing whether Pittsburgh’s his biggest fan once draft weekend arrives.