The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to have zeroed in on a certain quarterback ahead of the NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh has been linked to drafting a quarterback in the middle rounds, and the Steelers could look to take a developmental quarterback. Pittsburgh has been linked to the likes of Carson Beck, Drew Allar, Garrett Nussmeier, and Cole Payton, among others.
However, Steelers insider Mike DeFabo of The Athletic believes the team favors Beck as the quarterback Pittsburgh will take.
“At the NFL’s annual league meeting, McCarthy said he’s looking to draft a quarterback “at the right time.” He also gave us two more clues when he said he likes quarterbacks with “big hands and long arms” and mentioned he sometimes gets more excited about the floor than the ceiling,” DeFabo wrote.
“Of the quarterbacks listed, Beck would be the one who best checks each box. After throwing for more than 3,000 yards in each of the last three seasons, he’s the high-floor QB. Allar is the high-ceiling passer if someone can help him translate his traits into on-field production. For that reason, the Steelers likely favor the long-armed, big-handed Miami QB somewhere in the middle rounds.”
Beck led the Miami Hurricanes to the national championship game, but lost to the Indiana Hoosiers. In his lone season at Miami, he threw for 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Beck is expected to be selected early on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Carson Beck NFL Draft Profile
Beck had been considered an intriguing NFL quarterback prospect for years while he was at Georgia, but his draft stock had taken a hit in recent years.
Beck tends to turn the ball over and make careless plays, which have hurt his draft stock. However, Beck is still an intriguing developmental quarterback prospect. NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein compares him to Kenny Pickett and expects him to be selected in the fourth round.
“Three-year starter who has weathered his share of ups and downs,” Zierlein wrote. “Beck has NFL-caliber size and a lot of experience playing in high-leverage games. He recovered from 2024 UCL surgery on his throwing elbow, but he appeared to lose some drive velocity on deep balls and move throws. He works through progressions at a good pace and can throw with anticipation, but he loses track of safeties, throwing into hazardous spots.
“Beck’s decision-making showed more maturity in his final college season, but pressure can pull him back into old habits. He spins a catchable ball with a compact release. But spotty accuracy leads to pass breakups and a lower conversion rate on tight-window throws. Beck projects as a good backup with the potential to earn a starting job down the road, but he must continue developing game-managing instincts.”
If Beck is going to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, he will need to get better at protecting the football. But if he can sit for a year or two and learn, it could benefit him in the long run.
Steelers Likely to Draft a QB
Pittsburgh has a question mark at quarterback as Aaron Rodgers remains a free agent.
Although all signs point to Rodgers re-signing, no deal has been signed yet. However, Steelers insider Brooke Pryor of ESPN revealed the team is likely to use a later pick on a quarterback.
“It seems unlikely the Steelers will use their first-round pick on a quarterback. But don’t rule out a selection on Day 2 or Day 3, even if Aaron Rodgers returns,” Pryor wrote. “New head coach Mike McCarthy and the scouting staff have been doing their homework on several prospects in the quarterback class.”
So, even if Rodgers returns, expect Pittsburgh to use a Day 2 or Day 3 pick on a quarterback.
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