Steelers President Confirms No QB in First Round

Art Rooney says the team will not draft a quarterback with their first pick.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:49pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football game, with sharp planes of black, gold, and white representing the Pittsburgh Steelers' team colors.The Steelers' draft strategy aims to build a well-rounded roster, rather than focusing solely on the quarterback position.Today in Pittsburgh

In an interview, Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney confirmed that the team will not be selecting a quarterback with their first-round pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. The Steelers currently have two quarterbacks on their roster - Mason Rudolph and Will Howard - and are awaiting a decision from veteran Aaron Rodgers on his future with the team.

Why it matters

The Steelers have been linked to several top quarterback prospects, including Ty Simpson, in the lead-up to the draft. Rooney's comments suggest the team is confident in their current quarterback room and will look to address other positions with their first-round selection.

The details

Rooney told local media that "it's probably not going to be a quarterback" with the Steelers' first-round pick, number 21 overall. However, he noted the team has 12 total selections in the draft and will likely use one of those to add a quarterback at some point. The Steelers' current QB depth chart includes Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, with the future of veteran Aaron Rodgers still uncertain.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026.

The players

Art Rooney

The president of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization.

Mason Rudolph

A quarterback currently on the Steelers' roster.

Will Howard

A quarterback currently on the Steelers' roster.

Aaron Rodgers

A veteran quarterback whose future with the Steelers is uncertain.

Ty Simpson

A top quarterback prospect who has been linked to the Steelers in pre-draft speculation.

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What they’re saying

“I think I can tell you one thing, it's probably not going to be a quarterback. But beyond that it's wide open. Of course, it depends on what happens in front of us. But, you know, I think it'll be exciting to build. Interesting. A lot of interesting players in this Draft. And, I think one of the -- not only our first pick, but as you probably know, we have 12 selections in this Draft. So we have an opportunity to really add some talent to the roster.”

— Art Rooney, President, Pittsburgh Steelers

What’s next

The Steelers will continue to monitor the quarterback situation, including Rodgers' decision, as they prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft. They have 12 total picks to work with and could target a QB with one of their later selections.

The takeaway

The Steelers appear content with their current quarterback depth chart and are focused on addressing other positions of need in the first round of the draft. However, they will likely still add a quarterback at some point to develop behind Rudolph and Howard, or potentially replace Rodgers if he does not return.