Steelers Predicted To Draft ‘Highly Skilled Thrower’ As Aaron Rodgers Replacement

Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was never going to be a long-term solution for Pittsburgh’s quarterback dilemma. He will turn 42 this December and is on a one-year contract.

However, Rodgers might consider playing another season, and if he decides to return to the Steelers, the organization will still need to consider adding another quarterback for 2027 and beyond.

The best strategy for adding a future quarterback would be to draft one in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft and allow him to learn from Rodgers. Recently, The Draft Network’s Keith Sanchez published a mock draft predicting that Pittsburgh would select Duke quarterback Darian Mensah with the No. 21 pick.

“Because the Pittsburgh Steelers signed up for the one-year agreement with Aaron Rodgers, they will enter the offseason with a vacancy at the quarterback position,” Sanchez wrote on Sunday. “This puts them in a position to have to draft a quarterback. In this spot, the Steelers decide to draft Duke signal-caller Darian Mensah, a highly skilled thrower of the football who could be the future for Pittsburgh at the position.”

Mensah is currently in his first season at Duke, having previously played 13 games for Tulane in 2024. This season, he has amassed 3,007 passing yards and thrown 25 touchdowns, along with four interceptions.

If the Steelers are considering selecting a quarterback, Mensah could be a solid option since he’s likely to be available somewhere in the mid-20s for Pittsburgh to pick.

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