Aaron Rodgers has publicly announced his plan to retire after the 2026 season, immediately making quarterback the clear top need for the Steelers heading into the upcoming offseason. We’re talking about finding the guy to lead that team for years. What’s the front office supposed to do? Wait around? Not a chance. Yes, 2026 third-rounder Drew Allar should be an option for the team in 2027, but he’s only appeared in three preseason games in his young NFL career so far. That means the Pittsburgh front office will absolutely be doing its homework this college season on prospects playing football’s most important position. Week 1 is here, and there are already some names popping up.
The QB Hunt Is On: Spotlight on Josh Hoover
When the Steelers are looking for their future signal-caller, they won’t just be scouting the obvious, top-tier guys like Arch Manning or Dante Moore. Those two might be off the board super early, and frankly, Pittsburgh fans probably already know a lot about them. Nope, the real work is digging into the guys who could be real gems. That’s why eyes are on players like Josh Hoover, the Indiana quarterback, who kicks off his season at Noon EST against North Texas. Talk about stepping into some huge shoes! Hoover is following up a legendary 2025 season from Fernando Mendoza, who was the NFL’s most recent No. 1 overall pick. That’s a massive challenge.
Hoover, a TCU transfer, is a talented player in his own right, expected to take a leap under coach Curt Cignetti. Summer scouting reports have raved about his smooth mechanics, his pocket mobility, and how quickly he processes the game. But let’s be real, concerns are still there about his high-end NFL tools, and those 13 interceptions he threw in 2025 are definitely something to keep an eye on. He’s listed at 6’2, 205 pounds, a fifth-year senior who threw for 3,472 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 13 picks in 2025 for TCU. Even if you’re just watching for the pure football, Indiana’s loaded with other NFL prospects like offensive tackle Carter Smith and wide receivers Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh. This team’s got talent!
Early Trends and What’s Next for the Steelers
While Hoover is the standout to watch early, Julian Sayin from Ohio State is another name worth knowing. He’s similar to Hoover in that both are expected to lead high-end offenses in 2026 and cement themselves in the upper echelon of college quarterbacks. However, like Hoover, analysts have legitimate questions about Sayin’s talent profile when it comes to his NFL chances. He’s playing at 12:30 p.m. EST against Ball State.
This Saturday is just Week 1 of college football, but for the Steelers, it’s the start of a massive talent search. Every snap from guys like Josh Hoover is crucial as Pittsburgh tries to secure its next franchise quarterback. The future starts now for the Steelers’ QB room.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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