Former NFL General Manager Believes Steelers Should Draft Ty Simpson

Former NFL General Manager Believes Steelers Should Draft Ty Simpson originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Steelers are still unsure who their starting quarterback will be this season, especially since Aaron Rodgers has yet to comment on a return. Even if Rodgers decides to come back, it will likely be only for one year, as he will turn 43 in December.

Pittsburgh still needs to approach this year's draft with a focus on its long-term quarterback plan. Former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum believes the Steelers should consider selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.

“If I’m Pittsburgh, I’ve got to strongly consider him at 21,” Tannenbaum said Thursday on "Get Up", via NJ.com's Chris Franklin.

“Look, we don’t know what Aaron Rodgers is going to do, but even if he was there, he’s going to be 43 in December. You have Will Howard, an unproven sixth-round pick, and Mason Rudolph, who’s a very competent backup. Ty Simpson has a chance to be a good star in the NFL. You have a good defense, albeit aging. But if I’m Pittsburgh at 21, I have to take a long look at Ty Simpson.”

The Steelers should seriously consider adding Simpson, as this might be their best shot at landing a first-round quarterback. Typically, the Steelers are among the top teams in the NFL and finish in the early to mid-20s in the draft.

If Rodgers returns this season, Pittsburgh should do well enough to make the playoffs again, which would mean the Steelers could be taken out of a position to draft a quarterback in next year’s class.

It wouldn't hurt the Steelers to draft Simpson at No. 21 and then allow him to sit a season behind Rodgers before bringing him onto the field in 2027.

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