The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a familiar, frustrating position as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches. For the second consecutive year, the team is navigating the pre-draft period without franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers under contract. Last season, Rodgers's delayed signing and limited preseason action were widely cited as reasons for an underwhelming campaign, and history appears to be repeating itself.

With the draft just a week away, new head coach Mike McCarthy is unlikely to enter the event without a contingency plan. ESPN's top NFL insider, Adam Schefter, highlighted this very scenario on ESPN Radio's "Unsportsmanlike." Schefter suggested that if Rodgers's contract situation remains unresolved, the Steelers could pivot their first-round strategy at pick No. 21, potentially targeting a quarterback like Alabama's Ty Simpson.

"So now if the draft comes and you are the Pittsburgh Steelers, are you talking more about quarterbacks and the draft? I think you are," Schefter stated, specifically mentioning Simpson as a first-round possibility. While McCarthy has expressed confidence in second-year passer Will Howard, the overarching sentiment is that Rodgers's timeline will ultimately dictate Pittsburgh's draft-day decisions at the sport's most critical position.

This looming uncertainty adds a fascinating layer of drama to the Steelers' war room, making them a team to watch closely as the first round unfolds. The decision they make could define their offensive identity for the post-Rodgers era.