Ty Simpson’s name is frequently brought up when conversations about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft strategy take place.
The Alabama quarterback might be available at or around pick No. 21 when the Steelers are on the clock.
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 the X thinks Art Rooney II will be unable to avoid the temptation of selecting a quarterback in the first round with the draft being here in Pittsburgh.
“Ain’t no pop like the quarterback pop,” Madden said. “Art wants to get a big pop at the podium when the draft is here.”
Understandable. But pandering to the crowd for the instant gratification of getting a quarterback for the sake of getting a quarterback could be detrimental to the long-term growth of the organization.
Some might argue the Steelers did that already when they drafted Pitt’s Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 draft. However, Madden says if Simpson is the right guy, it’d be worth the risk.
“After mangling quarterback since Ben (Roethlisberger) retired in 2021, they want to get a clear-cut quarterback in place,” Madden continued. “If you got Ty Simpson, that would have a line of succession: (Aaron) Rodgers for one more year, Simpson next year.”
That logic is sound if it’s determined that Simpson can be the guy. After some late-season ups and downs, questions have been raised about his NFL ceiling. Very few outlets seem to have Simpson going any earlier than to the Steelers at No. 21.
“He actually ticks a lot of boxes,” Madden said. “He’s maybe an inch short. He’s 6-foot-2, and he only started (in 2025). That worries me more than anything. But he’s got a good arm. Good middle of the field. Good decision making.”
I’m not sold on Simpson yet. Maybe I’ll learn or see more during the pre-draft process. If the Steelers don’t go with him — or any other QB of potential first-round pedigree — count me among the many who would be perfectly fine going with the best wide receiver available at pick No. 21.
Madden seems to think that would be a decent option as well.
“Not just a receiver. They need three receivers,” Madden said of the Steelers’ offseason plans. “They need a No. 1 receiver. They need a receiver that’s better than DK. … They made a lot of bad personnel decisions in (recent) years. But right up there is giving DK the money they gave him ($60 million guaranteed). They gave him No. 1 receiver money, and he’s not a No. 1 receiver.”
Also during the podcast, Madden and I discuss the Steelers’ drama created last week on Cameron Heyward’s podcast, Aaron Rodgers’ future, Olympic hockey and Konnor Griffin.