"They'd Like To": Steelers' Draft Plans Exposed With Bold Move Coming Soon

The Pittsburgh Steelers' front office, led by Omar Khan, did a phenomenal job addressing the major roster needs for the team. It will give the organization flexibility come the 2026 NFL Draft, and the franchise is expected to have the 21st overall selection in the first round. The three positions that still stick out are wide receiver, safety, and offensive guard. All three of these areas have prospects that could hear their names called in round one, so the ongoing discussion will be regarding which direction Khan and Co. will go in when it is time to announce the pick.

Pittsburgh's 12 total selections seem daunting because of how difficult it would be for any one team to draft and then roster all of those individuals. This is where it could get very interesting for the Steelers. The goal should absolutely be to find a way to turn some of the picks into ones that can be used in 2027, instead. Khan has always been open to making moves, so draft weekend should be very intriguing.

The franchise has always been one to stay put and take the best player available. That is something that the front office will have the ability to do because of the free agency and trade market moves that were made recently. This should open an opportunity if there is a general manager or two that has a genuine interest in calling about the 21st overall pick.

Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette hosted his weekly chat for fans on Tuesday and answered plenty of questions about the current state of the team. With the flexibility that will be present, the beat writer believes that the Steelers may have an internal goal of making the fan base in the Steel City wait longer than expected for the franchise's first selection.

"I think they'd like to trade back and get some capital for 2027," Fittipaldo wrote. "For as much as they like Will Howard, there are some really good QB prospects who are expected to be available next year."

It appears as if 2027 draft picks are already being viewed as premium. If this is the case, Khan could have to make a significant move back because there is no reason to trade back in round one if the partner is offering 2026 capital in return. There will have to be a desperate organization that really wants that 21st pick in the first round.

It seems as if the Steelers have been involved in the same conversation on a yearly basis. The team has yet to find a permanent quarterback solution, and talk about the future will continue to arise until that individual is inside the building. There has been plenty of speculation about Will Howard, but as Fittipaldo noted, a sixth-round pick from 2025 is not going to keep Khan from making an investment in 2027.

The only exception to this would be Aaron Rodgers retiring, and Howard taking over almost immediately to start the 2026 campaign. If the youngster were to end up performing at a high level, there might not be a need to use any future high-end draft pick on a signal-caller. The possibilities are endless, and the Steelers have no one else to blame except themselves because of the approach of the organization ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired.

Steelers Are Desperate To Find A Franchise Quarterback

Pittsburgh might be willing to move out of the 21st overall pick simply because of the fact that the need for capital in 2027 could be so pivotal. The organization certainly recognizes that it can't continue to have stopgap solutions at the signal-caller position. Acquiring a first or second-round pick in 2027 to move out of round one in 2026 could upset fans that want to experience a first-round selection in the Steel City, but the future success of the team has to be of the utmost importance.

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