The Pittsburgh Steelers may be preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft, but behind the scenes, the real strategy seems to be unfolding for 2026. On the heels of Friday’s breaking news, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Steelers are setting their sights on next year’s draft to make a franchise-altering move, specifically at quarterback.
With both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields departing in free agency after short-lived stints, Pittsburgh once again finds itself in quarterback limbo. The 2025 QB class, by most expert accounts, lacks star power and clear-cut franchise potential, making the timing of their exit all the more notable.
Enter 2026, a draft already generating buzz for its promising quarterback crop. Multiple league insiders are pointing to next year as the moment Pittsburgh intends to make its long-awaited leap for a true face of the franchise. Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac added fuel to the fire during his appearance on The Rich Eisen Show.
“Rich, I firmly believe the Steelers are all in on a quarterback in 2026,” Dulac stated. “That is based off what I have heard and what I have been told.”
While Pittsburgh could still take a quarterback in 2025, it would likely be more of a bridge than a permanent solution. Reports suggest head coach Mike Tomlin is a fan of Shedeur Sanders, but with the Steelers picking at No. 21, the chances of Sanders falling that far seem remote. Instead, the franchise may opt to bide its time, laying the groundwork now for a more aggressive move next spring.
According to Dulac, the Steelers are already preparing the draft capital necessary to trade up in 2026, including compensatory picks expected in the third and fourth rounds.
“I believe that’s when they’ll make a deal to get an extra number two next year,” Dulac explained. “All of a sudden you can package that with a three and a four, maybe even swap firsts, to get into a position to grab one of the top quarterbacks.”
Adding to the intrigue? The 2026 NFL Draft will be hosted in Pittsburgh. The idea of the Steelers selecting their next franchise quarterback on their home turf, in front of thousands of fans at the first-ever draft held in the city, is a storyline straight out of Hollywood.
But there’s also a deeper reason for the team’s cautious approach. The memory of Kenny Pickett still lingers. The Steelers selected Pickett in 2022, believing he was the best of a weak quarterback class. While the team had genuine hope in his development, they’ve since grown wary of forcing a quarterback pick just to fill a need.
That experience is shaping Pittsburgh’s current strategy: patience, precision, and preparation. Instead of repeating past missteps, they’re choosing to wait for the right moment and the right talent.
So while the 2025 draft may bring a few key additions to the roster, it’s 2026 that could define the next chapter in Steelers history. If their plan comes together as expected, Pittsburgh may soon get the quarterback they’ve been seeking since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. And do it in unforgettable fashion, right in their own backyard.
