2027 mock links Steelers to a rising quarterback prospect

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback future -- post-Aaron Rodgers -- is the biggest story in the Steel City, and one early 2027 mock draft has them finding a possible long-term answer after a brutal season.

Tankathon projects the Steelers to finish among the NFL’s worst teams in 2026, land the No. 9 pick and select Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr. That’s a rough forecast for a franchise that rarely drafts that high.

Carr, 6’3, 210 pounds, enters 2026 as one of the most interesting quarterbacks in a class expected to be loaded at the position. His ranking depends on who’s building the board. Some evaluators place him behind only Dante Moore and Arch Manning, while others have him closer to the back end of the top 10. Carr, a redshirt sophomore, hasn’t formally declared for the 2027 NFL Draft, but he'll be eligible and is viewed as one of the class’s premier underclassmen.

His ranking depends on who’s building the board. Some evaluators place him behind Dante Moore and Arch Manning, while others have him near the back end of the top 10 quarterbacks. Scouts have been drawn to his mechanics, poise and pocket awareness, creating first-round buzz.

Carr threw for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions in his first season as Notre Dame’s starter. Another productive year would give teams confidence that those numbers were the beginning of a franchise-quarterback résumé.

The sample size will be minimal. If Carr declares after 2026, Pittsburgh could be evaluating a potential top-10 pick with only two seasons of starting experience.

The Steelers may need to enter that market anyway. Rodgers is entering his final season, and his successor may not even be on the current roster. Will Howard and Drew Allar offer developmental intrigue, but neither has locked down anything beyond an opportunity.

A strong 2027 quarterback group would give Pittsburgh options, whether the Steelers are picking ninth or somewhere more familiar. Carr’s 2026 tape will carry far more importance than any early mock draft, especially with only one full season as a starter behind him.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 2027 mock links Steelers to a rising quarterback prospect