What if the answer to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback problem has been hiding in plain sight all along? What if, after years of patchwork solutions and unmet expectations, the franchise finally finds its next signal-caller in a draft prospect whose stock has fluctuated dramatically? In ESPN’s latest mock draft, Field Yates has the Steelers selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson — a move that could either redefine the franchise’s future or extend its search for stability under center. And in Pittsburgh, where patience is thin and expectations are eternal, that kind of decision carries enormous weight.
The Shadow of Ben Roethlisberger
Since Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season, the Steelers have been searching — not just for a quarterback, but for identity.
Roethlisberger wasn’t just a productive passer. He was the face of the franchise for nearly two decades. He delivered two Super Bowl titles, countless fourth-quarter comebacks, and a sense of continuity that most NFL teams crave but rarely maintain.
When he walked away, the void wasn’t simply statistical.
It was cultural.
The Steelers believed they could draft and develop the next leader. That belief led them to select Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Pickett showed flashes, but inconsistency and injuries ultimately clouded his long-term outlook. Whether fair or not, the early verdict among fans and analysts was that Pittsburgh “missed” on that pick.
Since then, the quarterback position has felt like a rotating cast of temporary fixes — veteran stopgaps, short-term contracts, and hope-based projections.
Now, according to ESPN’s latest mock draft, the Steelers may be ready to take another swing.
Enter Ty Simpson
Field Yates projects Pittsburgh selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson — a player once firmly in the top-10 conversation earlier in the college season before experiencing a noticeable slide down draft boards.
Simpson’s evaluation is complex.
On the positive side, he offers traits that are difficult to teach:
Pristine accuracy
Pocket improvisation
Enough arm strength to drive the ball downfield
Mobility within structure
Leadership experience in a high-pressure SEC environment
These are not small attributes.
Quarterbacks who can consistently place the ball with precision while maintaining composure under pressure are rare. Simpson has demonstrated the ability to layer throws into tight windows and extend plays without immediately abandoning the pocket.
In an NFL increasingly built around timing, spacing, and rhythm passing, those skills matter.
But the concerns are equally significant.
The Second-Half Slide
Simpson’s draft narrative shifted dramatically during the second half of the college season.
According to Yates, his decision-making regressed down the stretch. Over Alabama’s final six games, Simpson threw four interceptions and completed just 62.6% of his passes — a noticeable drop from his earlier efficiency.
For evaluators, this raises a critical question:
Was the early-season version of Simpson the true indicator of his ceiling, or was the late-season slump a sign of deeper issues?
Quarterback evaluation is often about trends. Teams want to see growth, composure under pressure, and the ability to adjust as defenses adapt. A midseason slide can create hesitation — especially for franchises that cannot afford another developmental misstep.
For Pittsburgh, the margin for error feels thin.
Why the Steelers Might Be Willing to Gamble
Despite the late-season concerns, Simpson fits several elements of what the Steelers traditionally value.
Pittsburgh has long prioritized toughness, leadership, and football intelligence. Simpson’s time at Alabama exposed him to elite competition and complex defensive schemes on a weekly basis. That experience matters.
Additionally, the Steelers’ offensive system under their current coaching staff emphasizes structure with room for improvisation — a blend that suits Simpson’s strengths.
He’s not reckless outside the pocket. He keeps his eyes downfield. He understands spacing.
And perhaps most importantly, he doesn’t lack confidence.
Quarterback in Pittsburgh isn’t just about throwing mechanics. It’s about handling pressure — from defenses, from media, and from a fanbase accustomed to postseason relevance.
Simpson has played in environments where every mistake was magnified.
That psychological preparation could prove invaluable.
The Risk Factor
Still, drafting another quarterback after the Kenny Pickett experience comes with risk.
The Steelers would be signaling, implicitly, that their previous long-term plan failed. That’s not easy for any front office to admit.
Moreover, the NFL landscape is unforgiving for developmental quarterbacks. Teams want immediate impact. Fanbases demand instant results. Patience rarely survives multiple seasons of mediocrity.
If Simpson requires two or three years to reach his potential, will Pittsburgh remain patient?
And if he struggles early, will comparisons to Pickett resurface immediately?
These are not minor considerations.
The Broader Draft Landscape
One of the pressing questions in this draft class is how high Ty Simpson will ultimately go.
Earlier in the season, many scouts viewed him as a potential top-10 selection. His arm talent and command of Alabama’s offense generated buzz.
But as his production dipped, so did projections.
Now, teams face a dilemma:
Do they evaluate Simpson based on his ceiling — the polished, confident passer who flashed franchise-quarterback potential?
Or do they focus on the inconsistency — the interceptions and accuracy decline against tougher competition?
For Pittsburgh, selecting Simpson in the middle of the first round would represent belief in development over immediate certainty.
It would be a bet on coaching, system fit, and organizational stability.
The Steelers’ Organizational Identity
One reason Pittsburgh might feel comfortable taking that risk is its history of stability.
The Steelers are not a franchise that cycles through coaches or front-office regimes every two seasons. That continuity provides a developmental cushion.
If any organization can afford to nurture a quarterback prospect with patience and structure, it’s Pittsburgh.
Additionally, the team’s defense remains competitive. Anchored by veteran leaders and consistent scheme discipline, the Steelers rarely collapse entirely. That means a young quarterback wouldn’t necessarily have to carry the franchise from Day 1.
That matters.
Quarterbacks drafted into stable environments often outperform expectations.
Scheme Fit and Offensive Evolution
Another factor to consider is how Simpson’s skill set aligns with Pittsburgh’s offensive trajectory.
The modern NFL demands flexibility. Quick-game precision. Play-action efficiency. Movement within the pocket.
Simpson checks several of those boxes.
He is not a run-first quarterback, but he moves well enough to extend plays. He’s comfortable throwing on the move. He understands timing routes.
However, his decision-making under pressure remains the variable.
The Steelers’ coaching staff would need to simplify reads early, emphasize rhythm throws, and gradually expand responsibilities.
If that progression works, Simpson could thrive.
If it stalls, the franchise could find itself repeating history.
Fan Expectations and Reality
Steelers fans are not accustomed to prolonged quarterback uncertainty.
The Roethlisberger era set a high bar — annual playoff expectations, consistent offensive competence, and late-game resilience.
Since 2021, that standard has wavered.
Selecting Simpson would represent hope.
But it would also demand patience — something not easily granted in today’s NFL.
The narrative would shift immediately:
Is this the guy?
Is he better than Pickett?
Can he handle AFC North defenses?
The questions would begin the moment his name is called.
The Ceiling Scenario
If everything clicks — mechanics stabilize, decision-making sharpens, confidence remains intact — Simpson has the tools to become a franchise quarterback.
His accuracy could elevate the Steelers’ passing game. His pocket mobility could reduce sacks. His understanding of SEC-level defensive complexity suggests a mental readiness for NFL schemes.
In that scenario, Pittsburgh solves its quarterback problem for the next decade.
And suddenly, the AFC North becomes even more competitive.
The Floor Scenario
If the decision-making issues persist and the late-season regression reflects a deeper ceiling limitation, the Steelers could face another reset within three years.
That’s the danger.
Quarterback misses are costly — not just financially, but strategically. They delay roster-building timelines. They create instability. They invite scrutiny.
Pittsburgh knows this.
Which is why this mock projection feels both intriguing and nerve-wracking.
Final Thoughts
Field Yates’ projection of Ty Simpson to Pittsburgh isn’t just another mock draft pairing.
It represents possibility.
Possibility that the Steelers finally turn the page on post-Roethlisberger uncertainty.
Possibility that they learn from the Pickett experience and adjust their developmental approach.
Possibility that a quarterback once viewed as a top-10 talent rediscovering his early-season form becomes the long-term answer.
But it also carries risk.
In the NFL, quarterback decisions define eras.
If Simpson thrives, this pick could be remembered as the turning point.
If he falters, it could prolong the cloud that has hovered over Pittsburgh since 2021.
The draft is still months away. Evaluations will shift. Boards will fluctuate.
But one thing is clear:
The Steelers can’t afford to get this one wrong.
And if Ty Simpson is indeed the choice, the franchise will once again be betting its future on potential.
Only time will tell if that potential becomes reality.
