Steelers Hall of Fame RB Gives Input on the 2026 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers will enter the 2026 NFL Draft without a decision from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Despite reports that the team wanted Rodgers' answer before the draft and voluntary workouts, they proceeded into both with unproven quarterback Will Howard taking first-team reps. The Steelers and their fans remain patient about the quarterback situation, but with the draft approaching, a choice is necessary. Steelers legend Jerome Bettis, speaking with Behind the Steel Curtain, offered a unique perspective. Bettis supports Rodgers, saying, “I don’t have a problem with the Aaron Rodgers project in terms of this year.” The eight-time 1,000-yard rusher also commented on the many quarterbacks Pittsburgh has hosted for pre-draft visits.

The Steelers have hosted four quarterbacks for pre-draft visits, all projected to be drafted anywhere from the third to fifth round: Penn State’s Drew Allar, Miami’s Carson Beck, Arkansas’ Taylen Green, and North Dakota State’s Cole Payton. Allar seems to be their top target. Bettis supports this strategy, stating, “In the third, fourth, fifth rounds, maybe you get one...and maybe you are able to then develop them to a degree where next year, you either have a quarterback, or you’re going to get a quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft.” Bettis also hopes the Steelers use their first-round pick on a top offensive lineman. With several potential trade partners during the draft, Bettis encourages the Steelers to “move up five or six slots” to target offensive linemen he believes would be valuable additions.

Bettis mentions Penn State guard Vega Ioane as his top prospect in the draft, claiming “he’s a stud, but I don’t think he’ll make it to 21.”  The Super Bowl-winning running back also mentions Spencer Fano due to his versatility to play both guard and tackle, and cornerback Jermod McCoy, stating that he is a “wildcard.” Pittsburgh has the opportunity to compile some of its 12 draft picks into a trade to move up to a position where they can take Ioane. The six-foot-four lineman is seen as the best guard prospect in the draft, a position that the Steelers desperately need after former starting left guard Isaac Seumalo left for the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. While mock drafts have been split between if the Steelers should take a wide receiver or an offensive lineman in the first round of the draft, they have done more work towards their wide receiver room than their offensive line depth, when they made a trade for Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. While drafting a wide receiver is the flashier move, if Bettis were general manager, Pittsburgh would be taking an offensive lineman in round one.