Are the Steelers fooling all of us with their QB draft love?

The Steelers haven’t exactly been subtle with their draft approach this offseason, having met with every top QB prospect. Here is why they could be fooling us with their QB interest.

It’s hard to find many mock drafts right now that don’t have the Steelers selecting a QB with their 1st round pick, and if you look at the Steelers approach to the draft process so far it’s no surprise.

They have been to the pro days of or have scheduled visits with every top QB prospect, including Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, Matt Corral, Desmond Ridder, and more. Even after adding Mitch Trubisky to their QB room via free agency, they clearly aren’t satisfied with where they stand at the position.

Despite the Steelers focus on signal-callers, I don’t think they are dead set on drafting a QB unless the right player falls to them at pick 20. The discussion surrounding a possible move up the board also feels unlikely, especially after the Saints-Eagles trade that could lead to New Orleans moving up for a QB themselves.

Are Steelers really going QB?

I would be surprised if any of their top three choices were still there at their pick, and in that scenario, they would likely look to move back or take an impact player if one is still available.

It’s also very possible that the Steelers know that they don’t have a chance to draft their top option. Instead, they could be making it look like they like all of the QBs in an attempt to convince teams to jump them for their QB of choice. This would mean more players falling to 20 at positions of need like safety Kyle Hamilton or one of the top receivers.

Fans may be skeptical because of the lack of subtlety the Steelers have had when it comes to their top draft targets recently, but QB being the focus changes things. It’s one thing if somebody had drafted Najee ahead of them last year (despite how great he can be), but losing out on a potential franchise QB is a different story.

Maybe it’s just the lack of faith in the passers this class has to offer, but I hope the Steelers don’t force a pick at QB if the guys they truly wanted are off the board. I have faith that Kevin Colbert wouldn’t begin his last draft with a desperate pick, but there is a concern he could be determined to leave the team with a new QB as he heads out the door. This front office as a whole hasn’t had to truly focus on the QB position in so long that it’s hard to know what to expect.

The Steelers could easily be genuine in their interest in all these QBs, but I’m not buying it quite yet. At the very least, I think they have one or two in mind and won’t reach for one. At the end of the day, fans have to hope that the front office is prepared for anything. Including saving QB for another draft.