The Pittsburgh Steelers welcomed Derrick Harmon as their first-round pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. They needed to invest in the defensive trenches and checked that off their to-do list. Holes litter their roster as they head into Day 2 of the draft. They must find a quarterback and running back in the next couple of rounds.
Not having a second-round pick could complicate things.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan still hasn't received word from Aaron Rodgers, and they bypassed Shedeur Sanders with their top pick. Justin Fields and Russell Wilson left in free agency, which has forced Pittsburgh into a tough spot. Unless someone unexpectedly falls to their third-round selection or Rodgers signs with the organization, they could be in a judgment day scenario.
Mason Rudolph is their starter, but all signs point to the team attacking the long-term resolution at the quarterback position when the 2026 NFL Draft hits. Fields won't be coming back, and neither will Wilson. The Steelers want to build a strong roster for whoever that young franchise-level prospect becomes.
It's a murky situation, but it could be more problematic.
Pittsburgh Steelers laugh as Jets take Justin Fields replacement in mock draft
It's always interesting to see where top prospects land. Sanders is poised to go in the second round unless his monumental slide continues. A new mock draft posed a new scenario where Sanders could end up with the New York Jets with the 42nd overall pick. It would shock the world, but at that point, it would make sense for the Jets to consider.
Eric Froton of NBC Sports has the Jets taking Fields replacement.
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Fields left the Steelers because he couldn't get over his benching after leading the team to a 4-2 record to start the year. Wilson struggled down the stretch, and head coach Mike Tomlin refused to make a change. Many thought Fields and Khan would reach a contract agreement for him to become the starter for next season. That didn't happen, and the young signal caller signed with the Jets.
Not having legit competition for the starting job had to weigh on Fields. Pittsburgh could've been in the quarterback market during this draft, which could've been another reason for Fields' departure. Tomlin and Khan scared him away, but Fields could regret his decision. The young quarterback could struggle to hang onto the starting job.
Sanders is a fun player, but has his problems. Fields would hold the starting job to begin the campaign, but he could struggle to keep it unless he plays well. Sanders was projected as a top pick in the NFL Draft but fell off a cliff. If he is available at the Jets' pick in the second round, they'd be crazy not to consider this selection. Sanders to New York would make the Steelers chuckle at Fields.