Steelers Poised to Hijack the NFL by Snaring an Explosive, Fearless QB Phenom in a Jaw‑Dropping Gamble to Replace Aaron Rodgers

Pundits have already begun speculating about what quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft the Pittsburgh Steelers could target. The Steelers signed Aaron Rodgers this offseason, but based on comments he made while appearing on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show, he is expected to retire after 2025.

On July 14, a CBS Sports mock draft projected the Steelers to replace Rodgers with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

“[Mendoza’s] arm talent really shone,” CBS Sports’ Mike Renner said. “For a Pittsburgh Steelers team that plays in an outdoor division, Mendoza is the perfect type of quarterback to fit into that offense.”

Mendoza posted a 68.7% completion percentage with 3,004 passing, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions with the Cal Bears last season. He’s not getting a lot of hype from other places as a potential first-round or NFL franchise quarterback.

But Renner and fellow CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson liked what Mendoza didn’t behind a poor offensive line last season. This fall, Mendoza will play for the Indiana Hoosiers.

“I’m so excited to see what he can do at Indiana because the situation around him is really going to be night and day,” Renner said. “[His offensive line] was the worst I saw of any quarterback when I went through summer scouting.

“If he hit his back foot and the ball wasn’t out, he was getting hit on that play. His offensive line was not going to give him a second or third read.”

Renner admitted that because Mendoza had little time in the pocket, it’s difficult to truly evaluate him. But clearly, the CBS analysts like what he showed with the few instances he did have more time to throw.

Wilson projected the Steelers to grab Mendoza at No. 14 overall in next year’s draft.

Could Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza Be a ‘Sleeper’ QB in 2026 NFL Draft?

If the 2026 NFL Draft happened today, Mendoza probably wouldn’t excite many analysts as Pittsburgh’s future quarterback.

But one college season can drastically change the NFL trajectory of quarterback prospects. Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora reminded readers of that fact on Sunday.

“The NFL draft often produces first-round quarterbacks who entered his final college season flying under the radar,” Kozora wrote. “The guy who wasn’t the five-star recruit, last year’s starter or power program arm who soaks up all the headlines.

“A year ago, the focus was on Georgia’s Carson Beck instead of Miami (FL)’s Cam Ward. In 2020, when Jake Fromm had all the preseason hype, Joe Burrow went from afterthought to No. 1 pick in a 12-month span.”

The Steelers analyst suggested Mendoza could be that quarterback heading into 2026.

It’s worth noting, though, that Kozora’s two examples, while great, saw their stocks rise so much that they went first overall. If Mendoza sees that kind of rise too, he won’t be a “sleeper” and the Steelers might not be able to get him.

That is, unless the bottom falls out on the 2025 season or Pittsburgh makes a big jump up the draft board.

Where Will Mendoza Land Among QBs in 2026 Draft?

Mendoza is far from a consensus first-round pick for 2026 entering this season. But the hype around the Indiana quarterback is growing.

According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, 34 mock drafts for 2026 this spring and summer have projected Mendoza as a first-rounder.

On May 31, Pro Football Sports Network’s Ian Cummings predicted Mendoza to go No. 1 overall to the New Orleans Saints.

Wilson projected Mendoza to be the third quarterback off the board in his latest 2026 mock draft. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Penn State’s Drew Allar were the first two signal-callers off the board in the mock at No. 1 and 8, respectively.