There have been numerous rumors circulating about the future quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers beyond this season. They remain in the thick of a playoff hunt, but many want to know when the franchise will invest in a long-term plan at the quarterback position.
It seemed likely they would attack the need at the NFL Draft in April, but that plan is starting to unravel at an alarming rate.
Many of the top signal callers who were projected to jump into the 2026 NFL Draft are returning to school. That is after a season of underwhelming performances around the board. Pittsburgh is in a tough spot as Dante Moore, Ty Simpson, and Fernando Mendoza sit at the top of the class. All three are potential options at the draft, but the Steelers will need a massive trade-up for them.
Don't be shocked if Aaron Rodgers hangs up his cleats after this campaign ends, and the team decides to kick the can on drafting a quarterback down the road for another year. The 2027 NFL Draft may provide more appealing options, potentially prompting a trade. Maybe a buy-low option like Kyler Murray could be a perfect one-year starter for the Steelers to roll with.
Pittsburgh Steelers could trade for QB Kyler Murray if they fail to draft a successor
Acquiring Kyler Murray via trade in a potential cap dump could extend Steelers QB need
In this mock trade, Pittsburgh helps bail out the Arizona Cardinals to a certain degree. The Cardinals save face by moving out their former franchise quarterback in a trade, and save some money in the process. There are multiple levels to a potential deal between these two clubs, but General Manager Omar Khan will demand that Arizona pay money on Murray's deal this upcoming season.
The conditions of this trade proposal should resemble those used when the Chicago Bears traded Justin Fields in 2024. A condition where the 6th round pick becomes a 5th or a 4th round pick if Murray plays over 51% of the starting snaps in 2026. If he doesn’t reach that benchmark, the pick remains a sixth-rounder, saving Arizona money while posing minimal risk for the Steelers.
READ MORE: Steelers’ latest 2026 mock draft raises eyebrows after skipping top priority
The limited options in the upcoming NFL Draft are concerning.
Pittsburgh could use a young quarterback coming out of college, but that might not be realistic, especially if they make the playoffs and potentially make some noise. Murray isn't a great player; he's been inconsistent during his time with the Cardinals. There is a reason why they would make him available, and potentially pay money to get him out of town.
Arizona paying money on this mock trade would be huge.
If things flounder in 2026 between Murray and the Steelers, then they can simply cut him and save plenty of cap space. If the quarterback finds a way to rebound in Pittsburgh, then they could consider extending him. Although not ideal, a potential Murray trade could serve as a perfect fallback if the draft doesn’t go as planned.