Steelers Eyeing North Dakota State QB in 2026 Draft

Pittsburgh may target dual-threat Cole Payton as long-term successor to Aaron Rodgers

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:35pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a quarterback in motion, with his body and the football broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a range of earthy browns, greys, and blues, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.The Steelers' search for their next franchise quarterback takes an intriguing turn with their interest in North Dakota State's Cole Payton.Fargo Today

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly showing strong interest in North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. With veteran Aaron Rodgers' future uncertain, the team is exploring options to find a long-term solution at the position, and Payton's dual-threat abilities have caught their eye.

Why it matters

The Steelers have been in flux at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement, and securing a young, talented signal-caller is crucial to their long-term success. Payton could provide the mobility and playmaking skills the team needs to complement their veteran leadership.

The details

Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Arth traveled to Fargo, North Dakota to attend North Dakota State's pro day, and the team later brought Payton in for a pre-draft visit. The lefty thrower passed for 2,719 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2025, while also rushing for 777 yards and 13 scores, showcasing his dual-threat abilities. While his numbers may not be eye-popping, the Steelers seem intrigued by his potential to translate well to the NFL level.

  • The Steelers had quarterbacks coach Tom Arth attend North Dakota State's pro day in 2026.
  • The Steelers brought Cole Payton in for a pre-draft visit shortly after the pro day.

The players

Aaron Rodgers

A four-time MVP quarterback who is expected to return as the Steelers' starter for the 2026 season, though his long-term future with the team is uncertain.

Will Howard

A quarterback drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round, who will have an opportunity to compete for the starting job at some point.

Cole Payton

A dual-threat quarterback from North Dakota State who has caught the Steelers' attention as a potential long-term solution at the position.

Mike McCarthy

The Steelers' head coach, who will be tasked with finding and developing the team's next franchise quarterback.

Tom Arth

The Steelers' quarterbacks coach, who traveled to North Dakota State to scout Cole Payton.

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What they’re saying

“I think there could be [some smoke there], yeah. The Steelers have done more than their typical due diligence on him. They had QB Coach Tom Arth in FARGO for the North Dakota State Pro Day, then flew in Cole Payton the next day for a pre-draft visit.”

— Brian Batko, Steelers beat writer

What’s next

The Steelers will continue to evaluate their options at quarterback, both in the 2026 draft and beyond, as they look to find a long-term successor to Aaron Rodgers.

The takeaway

The Steelers' interest in Cole Payton suggests they are proactively addressing their quarterback situation, recognizing the need to identify and develop their next franchise signal-caller. Payton's dual-threat abilities could make him an intriguing fit in Pittsburgh's offense, but the team will have to weigh his potential against other options in the 2026 draft class.