The Steelers are locked on 2026, but the quarterback conversation is already drifting toward 2027, where Pittsburgh could be shopping for its next long-term answer.
That’s the reality with Aaron Rodgers in the picture. The organization is all-in on getting the most out of the soon-to-be 43-year-old, and Rodgers wants the same thing: to ride off into the sunset hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. At the same time, the Steelers have to think about what comes after him, and that means keeping tabs on the next quarterback class.
The 2027 group isn’t living up to the wild preseason hype, but there are still first-round names worth watching. If Pittsburgh ends up using its first pick on a quarterback, here’s how the top options stack up right now.
At the bottom of the list is Arch Manning, and there are two reasons for that. First, he has been inconsistent in 2026.
Some of that, in my opinion, falls on head coach Steve Sarkisian, but Manning’s decision-making has also been part of the problem. Second, there’s no guarantee he even enters the 2027 NFL Draft.
If anything, the uneven season could push him back to the NCAA for another year.
Trinidad Chambliss has been one of the more intriguing names in the class, especially after many around the Steelers world, including Steelers On SI publisher Noah Strackbein, wanted him in the 2026 draft. He’s only added to the buzz this season, piling up over 2,100 passing yards and 18 touchdown passes, while also scoring seven rushing touchdowns through eight games.
Still, he lands lower here because of the size question. At 6-foot-0 and 205 pounds, he’s undersized for a long-term NFL quarterback, even with his athleticism.
He’s also already 24 and will turn 25 before Week 1 of the 2027 NFL season, which may help in some ways, but doesn’t erase the concerns.
USC’s Jayden Maiava brings a much more traditional frame at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, and the production has backed it up. He has already topped 2,500 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in 2026, with only five interceptions. He’s been careful with the football, and he just helped the Trojans beat Ohio State in a major win.
C.J. Carr has plenty going for him as well.
Notre Dame got a quarterback with ideal size at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, and he has backed that up with a pair of nearly identical seasons as the starter. This year, he has 1,849 passing yards and 18 touchdowns, while being sacked only twice and throwing just one interception.
The offensive line and the talent around him deserve credit, but so does Carr’s processing and pocket movement. That’s a big part of what makes him so appealing.
Dante Moore’s season has been affected by injury, but the talent still shows through. He has the arm, the mobility, the ball security and the leadership teams want, and he looks ready for the NFL challenge. If he’s healthy, he should be among the first quarterbacks selected in the 2027 draft.
Darian Mensah has been just as impressive, and the Miami Hurricanes are still undefeated in 2026 while he keeps dealing. He has thrown for 2,425 yards, 25 touchdowns and only one interception, and he’s added 109 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground.
That kind of all-around production is why he stands out so much. I firmly believe that Mensah will be the first overall draft pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
I also believe he's the second-best player at his position.
The top spot in this ranking goes to Drew Mestemaker, who looks like the most complete quarterback in the class. He has the size at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, the arm talent, and the accuracy that NFL teams covet.
In his first season with the Cowboys, he has thrown for over 2,600 yards, 25 touchdowns and completed 65.5% of his passes. He can also use his feet when needed.
What stands out most, though, is how he sees the field. He anticipates plays before they unfold, and that kind of feel, paired with his arm, makes him look like a true NFL quarterback.
None of the four players below the top tier are currently projected as first-round picks, but all of them are worth tracking. A strong finish to 2026 could push any of them into first-round territory. If not, they still could be day two options for the Steelers when the time comes.
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