3 ways Steelers can compile draft capital to trade up for a QB in 2022

The Steelers could be searching for their franchise quarterback next offseason. Here’s how they can compile draft capital to trade up for a QB next year. 

With the way that Ben Roethlisberger structured his new deal, I would be floored if he found a way to return to the field beyond this 2021 season. This is it for Big Ben, and while the Steelers should be actively pursuing steps to make sure they don’t go through quarterback limbo, they also don’t want to sacrifice a year of being competitive this season.

It’s highly unlikely that Pittsburgh would want to fork up significant draft capital to move up and attempt to land a franchise passer this year, as Roethlisberger will no doubt want to improve the talent around him in a rapidly closing Super Bowl window. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t start compiling draft capital for next season. Here are three ways the Steelers can be smart about stockpiling draft capital so they can move up for a quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft:

Be smart with the compensatory formula

I’m not asking the Steelers to ‘milk the system’ when it comes to the compensatory formula, but they should really take into account what having this extra draft capital would mean for next year. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Bud Dupree, and Alejandro Villanueva are all looking to cash in big this offseason, and with the current cap situation, Pittsburgh might be wise to let them all walk.

In addition to doing this, the Steelers should try to fill some holes by retaining a few of their own players (like Cameron Sutton, Zach Banner, or Matt Feiler). In a way, it’s almost fortunate that they can’t go out and sign any outside player to a sizeable deal this offseason. If they can keep their outside spending low, Pittsburgh has a chance to earn some draft capital in 2022 that could make you salivate – maybe even as much as a pair of third-round picks.