The Pittsburgh Steelers know a major quarterback decision looms once this season ends, with Aaron Rodgers having already stated that 2026 will mark his last year in the NFL.
The four-time MVP returned on a one-year deal and has guided the team to a 3-2 start through five games, completing 110 of 184 passes for 1,234 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Pittsburgh already has two young quarterbacks on its roster in Will Howard, who is in his second season after being selected in the sixth round under former coach Mike Tomlin, and rookie Drew Allar, a third-round pick this spring.
Those players do not rule out the possibility of adding another passer in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Pro Football Focus’s Gordon McGuinness published a mock draft on Tuesday that had the Steelers selecting Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss with the 16th overall pick.
“The Steelers can’t continue relying on stopgaps at quarterback,” McGuinness wrote. “Maybe Drew Allar or Will Howard is the future at the position, but it’s hard to pass on a talent like Chambliss. He has earned an 82.2 PFF passing grade so far this season and has done an impressive job of avoiding negative plays. He has produced a turnover-worthy play rate of just 2.5%, while his 14.3% pressure-to-sack rate is also impressive.”
Chambliss spent three seasons at Division II Ferris State before transferring to Ole Miss ahead of the 2025 campaign. The 6-foot, 210-pound signal-caller began last season as the Rebels’ backup behind Austin Simmons but took over the starting job after Simmons suffered an injury early in the year and never relinquished it.
In 15 games during the 2025 season, Chambliss threw for 3,937 yards and 22 touchdowns while throwing only three interceptions, helping Ole Miss reach the College Football Playoff. He is off to another strong start in 2026, completing 122 of 174 passes for 1,435 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions through five games while adding five rushing scores.
Even with those production numbers, questions remain about his long-term NFL fit.
Chambliss will turn 25 during the 2027 season after being born on Aug. 24, 2002, and his listed height of 6 feet has drawn attention from evaluators who typically prefer taller quarterbacks in the early rounds.
Because of the age and size factors, Chambliss is not projected among the top three quarterbacks available and could realistically land in the middle of the first round, a range that could suit the Steelers’ draft position.
History shows that quarterbacks selected outside the first round rarely become established NFL starters, which is one reason some analysts believe Pittsburgh should still prioritize finding a long-term answer at the position in 2027 rather than relying solely on Howard and Allar.
The Steelers will not be the only team in the AFC North looking at quarterbacks next spring, as the Cleveland Browns are widely expected to target a passer early in the draft to eventually replace Deshaun Watson.
