The 2026 NFL Draft is moving at a breakneck pace in downtown Pittsburgh, with rounds two and three set to kick off tonight while the late-round grinders prepare for Saturday. The first round was nothing short of a rollercoaster, headlined by seven teams, including the Jets, Giants, Cowboys, and Chiefs, making multiple selections and a flurry of eight trades that shook up the back end of the night.
As expected, the Las Vegas Raiders secured Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick, signaling a fresh start for a franchise that has been starved for success since 2002. However, the real shocker came at pick No. 13. Despite Matthew Stafford coming off a stellar MVP season in 2025, the Los Angeles Rams opted for the future, snagging Alabama’s Ty Simpson. It was a bold move that left several QB-needy teams, particularly the local hosts, looking at a much thinner board than they anticipated.
The Rodgers Waiting Game: Why the Steelers Bypassed a Quarterback at No. 21
If the Rams didn’t pick Simpson, he likely would have slid into the second round or directly into the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers at 21. There was significant internal curiosity about whether the organization would pull the trigger on the Alabama standout, but after the Rams’ aggressive move, Pittsburgh found themselves in a familiar spot of quarterback uncertainty.
Currently, the depth chart features Will Howard and Mason Rudolph, leaving new head coach Mike McCarthy in a precarious position as he looks toward the 2026 season. The elephant in the room remains Aaron Rodgers. Technically a free agent after his first season in the Steel City, Rodgers has yet to officially commit to a return.
While many expected a “theatrical” announcement during the first round in front of the Pittsburgh faithful, the night passed in silence. This leaves the front office in a bind; while they have high hopes for Will Howard, the former Ohio State National Champion, the consensus is that the Steelers need Rodgers to be a legitimate playoff contender this year.
On paper, the Steelers’ offence certainly looks more dangerous than it did a year ago, thanks to the additions of Michael Pittman Jr. and Rico Dowdle, which gives any incoming quarterback a legitimate arsenal of weapons. However, we aren’t looking at the ‘prime’ version of the man who won four MVP awards. At 42 years old, Rodgers hasn’t surpassed 4,000 passing yards or 30 touchdowns since 2021.
With Simpson no longer an option, the team’s chances of finding a Day 1 starter in the draft have evaporated, likely forcing them to wait for developmental prospects like Drew Allar or Carson Beck if Rodgers doesn’t sign soon.
Bolstering the Trenches: Who is First-Round Pick Max Iheanachor?
With the quarterback situation in limbo, the Steelers turned their attention to the offensive line, selecting Max Iheanachor, an offensive tackle out of Arizona State, with the 21st overall pick. Standing at a massive 6-6 and 321 pounds, Iheanachor is the third offensive tackle Pittsburgh has taken in the first round over the last four years.
Some critics view this as a silent admission that the Broderick Jones pick in 2023 hasn’t panned out as hoped, though Jones’ persistent neck injury has certainly clouded his development. Iheanachor is perhaps the most intriguing “project” in the entire first round.
Born in Nigeria and moving to the U.S. at age 13, he didn’t even start playing football until after high school in 2021. His rise has been meteoric, going from junior college to starting 31 games at Arizona State and earning All-Big 12 honors. He is incredibly raw, but his physical tools are undeniable. While he might not provide the immediate pass-protection “fix” that a veteran Rodgers would want, he represents a high-ceiling investment for a team that desperately needs to stabilize the edge.
