Art Rooney confirms Steelers not drafting quarterback in first round

TL;DR

Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II confirmed the team will not draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Steelers currently have two quarterbacks on their roster and hold 12 total draft picks.

Key points

Art Rooney II confirms Steelers won't draft a quarterback in round one
Steelers have two quarterbacks: Mason Rudolph and Will Howard
Team holds 12 total draft picks in the upcoming draft

Mentioned in this story

Art Rooney IIMason RudolphWill Howard

Pittsburgh Steelers

Oct 17, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II during halftime of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images The Pittsburgh Steelers currently have two quarterbacks on their roster just one week ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. And while they have continued to be patient as they await a decision from Aaron Rodgers, time is running out on the expected decision ahead of the draft. Even if Rodgers does return to the Steelers, many have speculated that Pittsburgh could target a quarterback in the first round, with Ty Simpson being the most popular named linked to the Steelers in that spot. However, in an interview with Andrew Stockey of WTAE in Pittsburgh, Rooney says the Steelers won’t be taking a quarterback in the first round. “I think I can tell you one thing, it’s probably not going to be a quarterback,” Rooney said. “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.” Mason Rudolph and are the only two quarterbacks currently on the roster. And even if they don’t select a signal-caller at No. 21, it is certainly on the table that they will use one of their 12 picks on a quarterback before the draft is done. ***Let us know what you think in the comments***. ***Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!***

Q&A

Why won't the Steelers draft a quarterback in the first round?

Art Rooney II stated that it's 'probably not going to be a quarterback,' indicating a different focus for their first-round pick.

Who are the current quarterbacks on the Steelers roster?

The only two quarterbacks currently on the Steelers roster are Mason Rudolph and Will Howard.

How many total draft picks do the Steelers have in 2026?

The Steelers have a total of 12 draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.