As uncertain as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation is currently, things are even murkier beyond 2025.
Even if the Steelers do sign Aaron Rodgers, chances are the soon-to-be 42-year-old future Hall of Famer is only going to be a one-year solution. Pittsburgh drafted Will Howard as a possible long-term replacement, but the Ohio State product was also a late-round pick and isn’t guaranteed to pan out.
Seeing as how he’s on a two-year deal, Mason Rudolph is another possible option, but the veteran signal-caller is much better suited as a backup in the NFL.
With all that being a reality, it’s very possible the Steelers will be in the market for a new quarterback in the 2026 NFL draft, and Bleeding Green Nation’s Ben Natan has predicted that will be the case.
Natan mocks Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt to the Steelers in the first round of his most recent mock draft.
Natan has the Steelers taking Leavitt with the No. 14 overall pick, which also means he doesn’t believe the Steelers will make the playoffs in 2025.
“Who knows who will be throwing the ball for Pittsburgh this year. Next year, it could be the talented rookie out of Arizona State,” Natan wrote.
Over two years in college between Michigan State and Arizona State, Leavitt has thrown for 3,024 yards, run for 510 yards and has scored 31 touchdowns.
After transferring from Michigan State in 2024, Leavitt posted solid numbers in his first year as a starter with the Sun Devils, completing 61.7% of his passes for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns to six interceptions.
He also flashed his dual-threat ability with 443 rushing yards and another five scores.
While Leavitt has more to prove with such a small sample size, he appears to have all the tools teams are looking for. The ASU star has a strong arm, impressive deep ball accuracy, and he can make plays with his legs.
It remains to be seen if he’ll want to leave college after just two years as a starter, the second of which will come in 2025. But if he can put together a big year, it’s possible he looks to cash in by declaring for the draft.
And, in turn, Leavitt proving himself to be a first-round talent will put him on the Steelers’ radar in 2026, assuming things don’t pan out with Howard and Rodgers.
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