Could Ty Simpson Be the Steelers’ Next Franchise QB? Mel Kiper Thinks So
The Pittsburgh Steelers are back in familiar territory this offseason - searching for their next quarterback. Whether or not they make a splashy move in free agency or swing a trade, the draft looms large. And according to longtime draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., there’s one name that makes a lot of sense for Pittsburgh: Ty Simpson.
On a recent episode of the First Draft podcast, Kiper laid out a compelling case for why Simpson, the Alabama quarterback, could be a strong fit for the Steelers - especially with Mike McCarthy now steering the ship in Pittsburgh.
“I think Pittsburgh with McCarthy coming in is gonna be really interesting,” Kiper said. “It depends on what you see with Ty Simpson. If you watched him up until mid-October, 21 touchdowns, only one interception over the first nine games.”
That early stretch was impressive. Simpson was decisive, efficient, and aggressive - letting it rip with confidence.
He looked every bit like a quarterback ready to take the next step. But then came the back half of the season, where things got a little more complicated.
Over his final seven games, Simpson lost five fumbles and threw four interceptions while tossing just seven touchdowns. It was a clear dip in production and ball security - two red flags that evaluators will need to weigh against the strong start. Still, Kiper sees enough in Simpson’s game to believe he’s worth a serious look, especially for a team like Pittsburgh.
One of the key factors here is experience. Simpson started just 15 games during his four years at Alabama.
That’s not a lot of reps, especially when you're talking about a potential first-round pick. But Kiper believes that pairing Simpson with McCarthy - a coach known for his work with quarterbacks - could help unlock the young passer’s full potential.
Simpson finally earned the starting job in 2025 and made the most of it early, finishing the season with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions. The tools are there: arm strength, athleticism, and flashes of high-level processing. It’s the consistency and ball security that remain question marks.
Kiper thinks Simpson could land somewhere in the top 10 to 15 picks, but there’s a real chance he’s still on the board when the Steelers are up at No. 21.
That would put Pittsburgh in a fascinating position. Do they see Simpson as the future?
Is McCarthy ready to put his stamp on the franchise by drafting and developing his own quarterback from Day 1?
There’s still time before the draft, but this is the kind of decision that could shape the next several years of Steelers football. If Simpson is there at 21, Pittsburgh will have to decide whether to take the swing - or look elsewhere and address the quarterback position later in the draft.
For now, the conversation is heating up. And if Mel Kiper’s read is right, Ty Simpson might just be the name to watch when the Steelers are on the clock.