ESPN Analyst Explains Why Steelers Must Draft Ty Simpson

Former NFL defensive lineman Marcus Spears believes Pittsburgh needs to find its next franchise QB.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:20pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football quarterback in motion, with the player's form broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.Analysts believe the Steelers must find their next franchise quarterback, even if it means taking a risk on a talented but unproven prospect like Ty Simpson.Today in Pittsburgh

Former NFL defensive lineman and current ESPN analyst Marcus Spears thinks the Pittsburgh Steelers need to stop kicking the can down the road and finally get a franchise quarterback in this year's draft. Spears believes the Steelers should draft Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson regardless of whether Aaron Rodgers decides to return.

Why it matters

The Steelers have been in quarterback purgatory since Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season. They missed on Kenny Pickett in the 2022 NFL Draft, and Pittsburgh has been paying for it ever since. Spears believes the Steelers cannot win the way they want to without a high-level quarterback.

The details

Spears thinks the Steelers should draft Simpson, who he believes is better than the Steelers' current quarterback Will Howard. Former NFL executive and current ESPN analyst Louis Riddick also believes Simpson is better than Howard and is tailor-made for Mike McCarthy's system.

  • The Steelers have been in quarterback purgatory since Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season.
  • The Steelers missed on Kenny Pickett in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The players

Marcus Spears

A former NFL defensive lineman and current ESPN analyst.

Ty Simpson

An Alabama quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Will Howard

The Steelers' current quarterback, a sixth-round pick.

Aaron Rodgers

The 42-year-old quarterback the Steelers are reportedly considering signing.

Mike McCarthy

The Steelers' head coach, who Spears believes Simpson is tailor-made for.

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What they’re saying

“There's a lot of glaring issues in Pittsburgh, but the one glaring issue that you cannot win without in this league, is high-level quarterback play. I'm not talking about competent quarterback play, I'm not talking about average quarterback play. You cannot win how the Steelers want to win without a high-level of quarterback play.”

— Marcus Spears, ESPN Analyst

“Regardless, the reason they're picking number 21 is because Rodgers was there.”

— Marcus Spears, ESPN Analyst

“Steelers fans get very angry when you give them a quarterback, because Aaron Rodgers apparently is gonna play forever. They wanna see what Will Howard can do. Will Howard was a sixth-round pick, so typically if your name isn't Tom Brady, sixth-round picks don't work out long-term.”

— Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports Analyst

“I like Will Howard. I don't like Will Howard as much as Ty Simpson. I don't even think they're in the same stratosphere as far as their ability to throw the football.”

— Louis Riddick, ESPN Analyst

“Based upon how the latter half of his season went, which wasn't all on him, the guy is banged up, the offensive line is very inconsistent, the running game was non-existent, and the wide receiver corps is up and down from week to week. Then, he turns it around in the playoffs against Oklahoma and brings his team back from a 17-point deficit. He's tailor-made for Mike McCarthy's system, and Mike has coached some good quarterbacks. I don't think he's a reach at 21, and I do think he's gonna go before that.”

— Louis Riddick, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Steelers will have to decide whether to draft Ty Simpson with the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, or potentially wait until later rounds to address the quarterback position.

The takeaway

The Steelers' quarterback situation remains a major concern, and they may need to be aggressive in this year's draft to find their next franchise QB. Analysts believe Ty Simpson could be the answer, but the team will have to weigh that against their current options like Will Howard.