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Steelers predicted to draft Garrett Nussmeier.
The Pittsburgh Steelers opted to address their offensive line in the first round and now could look to draft their future quarterback.
The Steelers selected Max Iheanachor at 21st overall, which caught many by surprise, as Pittsburgh reportedly wanted to select Makai Lemon. However, the Philadelphia Eagles jumped the Steelers to select the wide receiver.
Now, ahead of Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Steelers could go in a bunch of differnt direction at 53rd overall. Yet, ESPN NFL analyst Matt Miller predicts Pittsburgh will select LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.
“The Steelers are betting that Aaron Rodgers returns in 2026, but what’s the long-term plan? Nussmeier’s 2024 tape, when he threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns, looked like a first-round-caliber player. If he can get back to that, the Steelers have a franchise quarterback,” Miller wrote.
Nussmeier entered the 2025 college football season as a Heisman frontrunner, but injuries derailed his season. He was expected to be a first-round pick before the year, so the talent is there to be a franchise quarterback.
Nussmeier threw for 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions last season. The year prior, he threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, showing his elite talent.
The Steelers are widely expected to draft a quarterback at some point in the 2026 NFL Draft. Aaron Rodgers has yet to re-sign, and his future is unclear, so Pittsburgh could look to draft a developmental quarterback alongside Will Howard.
Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft will take place on April 24.
Pittsburgh has been hoping Rodgers would sign before the NFL Draft to cement the quarterback position, but that isn’t the case.
Ahead of the draft beginning, Steelers general manager Omar Khan said they have had great communication with Rodgers and won’t rush a decision.
“We’ve had some great communication with Aaron and nothing’s changed, but it’s all been positive and good,” Khan said. “And I said this to you guys in March when we met: he knows how we feel about him and we know how he feels about us.”
Mike McCarthy, meanwhile, said he’s giving Rodgers space to make his decision. But McCarthy said it is good to allow Mason Rudolph and Howard the reps in offseason workouts.
“What I’ve learned through instituting an offseason program, there are benefits of periods where your veterans aren’t here — and we’re talking about the quarterback position,” McCarthy said. “So this is a very beneficial time for Will and Mason right now.
“They split all the reps today and in the last two days, and that’s just great work. And when you see it improve from one day to the next, that’s what you’re looking for. … I’m comfortable where we are, and we’re giving [Rodgers] the space to make his decision.”
For now, the Steelers quarterback room is Howard and Rudolph, but Rodgers and another QB could be added to it by the end of Day 2.
The Steelers have 11 picks remaining, including four picks on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh has three third-round picks, as well as two picks in the fourth round, which can be used as ammo in trades to move up or fill out the roster. The Steelers’ remaining picks are as follows:
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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