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Cole Payton Gains Momentum as Steelers Eye Him as Dark Horse Option

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Cole Payton Gains Momentum as Steelers Eye Him as Dark Horse Option
Cole Payton (Image Credit: Imagn)

North Dakota State has sent quarterbacks to the NFL before. Carson Wentz became a franchise player. Trey Lance went third overall in 2021. Both were FCS products who turned into first-round selections. Cole Payton now tries to write his own chapter from Fargo. His path looks different. He started only one season. His mechanics need work. But the attention he received on Thursday tells a different story.

Pittsburgh made its intentions clear. The Steelers dispatched quarterbacks coach Tom Arth to Fargo on Thursday. He attended North Dakota State’s pro day. Area scout Jim Ward also made the trip. Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot reported the visit. According to Kozora, Payton was the primary reason Arth traveled to North Dakota.

Payton’s quarterback coach believes the NFL already knows what it has in his client. Jake Heaps made that point directly. “The NFL knows about Cole Payton,” Heaps told reporters. “Don’t be surprised on Day 2 when he’s selected.” ESPN draft expert Todd McShay ranked Payton as his third quarterback in the entire class.

Payton’s quarterback coach believes the NFL already knows what it has in his client. Jake Heaps made that point directly. “The NFL knows about Cole Payton,” Heaps told reporters. “Don’t be surprised on Day 2 when he’s selected.” ESPN draft expert Todd McShay ranked Payton as his third quarterback in the entire class.

Pittsburgh was far from alone in its evaluation. Dom Izzo reported that 25 NFL teams attended the session. That represents more than half the league. The Steelers have not received a decision from Aaron Rodgers about his future. That creates urgency in their quarterback search.

Cole Payton’s Production Sparks Questions About NFL Fit

The numbers from 2025 paint one picture. Reality might tell another story. Payton threw for 2,719 yards during his lone season as a starter. He tossed 16 scoring passes. He threw just four picks. His legs added another layer. He rushed for 777 yards. He scored 13 times on the ground.

North Dakota State went 12-1 with him under center. The Bison rolled through the regular season unbeaten. Illinois State ended its playoff run with a 29-28 upset. Payton earned second-team All-MVFC honors. He set three school single-season records along the way.

Cole Payton in the field
Cole Payton (Image Credit: Imagn)

But NFL evaluators see red flags beneath the production. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com placed him in the backup category. Zierlein noted poor mechanics and limited arm strength. Those issues could prevent him from succeeding as a pocket passer. Yet 25 teams still showed up to watch him work. That gap between evaluation and interest raises a key question. Does his running ability create enough value to overcome the passing concerns? Pittsburgh clearly wants to find out.

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