The Pittsburgh Steelers have a ton of question marks that still need to be answered before the 2026 season. For new Head Coach Mike McCarthy, figuring out who is going to be his quarterback is pivotal. Of course, all eyes are on Aaron Rodgers as the Steelers and the NFL world wait to see what he is going to do. Rodgers spent the 2025 season in Pittsburgh but made it seem like he could retire afterward. However, there has recently been some noise that he could return for the 2026 season and possibly reunite with his former head coach in McCarthy.
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Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan speaks on the phone while attending a team event.
If Rodgers ultimately decides not to return, the Steelers appear prepared to move forward with a quarterback room featuring Will Howard and Mason Rudolph. The team could still consider drafting a quarterback, but longtime Steelers insider Gerry Dulac does not believe that will happen early in the draft. Instead, Dulac has suggested that Pittsburgh would likely wait until at least the third round if they decide to add a young passer to the roster.
As for the Steelers’ first-round selection, Pittsburgh currently holds the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. According to Dulac, the team could consider packaging a third-round pick to move up a few spots if the right player is available. If that scenario unfolds, Dulac believes safety could be the position the Steelers target as they look to land a potential difference-maker on the defensive side of the ball.
"Probably safety, unless there is a receiver they really like," Dulac said when asked where the Steelers could look to trade up in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. "I don't think they would take a guard in the first round, certainly not one they would trade up to get."
Ever since the Steelers lost Isaac Seumalo in free agency, there has been speculation that they could draft a left guard to replace him. They could also address the position in free agency, but the fact that they have not yet makes some wonder if they will instead look to the draft. The Steelers have had success finding gems on the offensive line in later rounds, so perhaps that will be their approach in the 2026 NFL draft. Dulac, however, does not think guard is likely to be a focus, especially if a trade up is involved.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan during a press conference ahead of training camp in July 2025.
The Steelers are expected to enter this draft with a boatload of draft capital. They will have plenty of opportunities to trade valuable picks to move up if they deem it worthwhile. In that scenario, it will be interesting to see which safeties might attract GM Omar Khan enough to justify a trade.
Steelers Could Try And Make Massive Trade To Land Caleb Downs
Caleb Downs is expected to go in the top 10, but if the Steelers really covet him because he is viewed as a dominant, game-changing type of safety, they could explore a package to trade into the top 10. Such a move would be extremely risky, but might be seen as productive after addressing a couple of other needs.
Dulac also believes wide receiver could very much still be in play in the first round. Steelers fans will be watching closely and listening for updates as they try to determine what Khan and McCarthy's plans are in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Former Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs in a game in the 2025 college football season.
With plenty of draft capital and key needs to address, the Steelers have options. Whether they target a safety, wide receiver, or look for offensive line depth in later rounds, fans will be watching every move. How Khan and the new staff maneuver in this draft will play an integral part in shaping the team’s 2026 season and beyond.
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