Earlier than the 2025 NFL Draft, many speculated whether or not the Pittsburgh Steelers would take a quarterback within the first spherical. They elected to not, and didn’t tackle the place in any respect till Will Howard within the sixth spherical. Nonetheless, it appears clear that the Steelers are concentrating on the 2026 draft as their best chance to land a franchise quarterback. To try this, although, they may should commerce up. Robert Mays of The Athletic speculated on Monday what which may price.
“The Steelers for example right here, this yr’s one [first-round pick], subsequent yr’s one, two of the thirds they’re going to have subsequent yr, after which a two in 2027 and also you get a fourth again, that doesn’t really feel like an excessive amount of for me,” Mays stated on The Athletic Football Show. “I believe that’s the form of haul, and the form of bundle that might nonetheless be value it. That’s not far off from what the Rams gave as much as go get [Jared] Goff in 2016, they usually had been within the Tremendous Bowl two years later… However I wouldn’t hand over three first-round picks in all.”
Falling into the center of the primary spherical continuously is likely one of the causes the Steelers haven’t been capable of finding an elite quarterback within the draft. It appears probably they’ll find yourself in an identical spot subsequent yr as effectively. Proper now, there are too many questions on the roster to suppose the Steelers are true contenders. Nonetheless, there’s sufficient confirmed expertise that they probably received’t be selecting within the high 10, both.
Buying and selling up for a quarterback is likely one of the most costly strikes a soccer group could make. That’s evidenced by Mays’ proposal right here, which he compares to the Los Angeles Rams buying and selling up for Jared Goff in 2016. Again then, the Rams traded the eighth total choose to the Tennessee Titans. The Titans’ full haul included two first-round picks (2016 and 2017), two second-round picks (each 2016), and two third-round picks (2016 and 2017). The Rams acquired the primary total choose, in addition to one choose within the fourth and sixth rounds, all in 2016.
With that in thoughts, Mays’ concept is identical because the commerce the Rams made for Goff. Granted, Mays’ proposal entails one much less second-round choose the Steelers must commerce. It seems like so much, as a result of it’s. Nonetheless, that’s the going fee for high quarterback prospects. It’s one thing the Steelers are going to should sacrifice subsequent offseason.
With that stated, a transfer like that does repay at instances. The Buffalo Payments traded up a couple of spots in 2018 to seize Josh Allen. The yr earlier than that, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs moved up a major quantity to draft Patrick Mahomes. Neither of these two groups cares in regards to the picks they needed to sacrifice to make these strikes.
Nonetheless, issues definitely can backfire. In 2023, the Carolina Panthers traded two first-round picks, in addition to a second and third-round choose, to the Chicago Bears to draft Bryce Younger first total. In 2021, the Bears despatched two first-round picks, a fourth-round choose, and a fifth-round choose to the New York Giants to draft Justin Fields. Every of these two has had some success of their younger careers. But, neither of these trades seems nice in hindsight.
Such is life within the NFL, the place quarterback is an important place. The Steelers have realized the arduous approach that you would be able to’t win something important with out one. Thus, it prices a ton of draft capital to maneuver up for one. The Steelers might not be the only team attempting to take action, both. However that’s the gamble the Steelers have to absorb the 2026 draft. In comparison with their current lackluster 10-7 seasons, although, that gamble might be a welcome one.
