With the 2026 NFL draft coming to town next year, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have a bright light shining on them throughout the draft process. Combined with a treasure-trove of compensatory picks (thanks again, Dan Moore Jr.), it should be a very eventful draft season.
While the team will have plenty of positions that could use an upgrade, the quarterback position stands out as the biggest need heading into 2026. With Aaron Rodgers only under contract for 2025, the Steelers will be right back on the QB carousel next year if they don't address the position in the draft.
Despite that, Pro Football Focus' lead draft analyst, Trevor Sikkema, argued recently that finding a running mate for DK Metcalf should be their top priority.
PFF believes Pittsburgh Steelers must address playmaker over QB in 2026 NFL draft
On the surface, it's hard to argue with the idea that receiver is a huge need for the Steelers. Outside of Metcalf, no other receiver on the roster has even 100 career receptions aside from the aging Robert Woods. No offense to Woods, but he isn't exactly the same player that was once one of the best No. 2 receivers in the NFL.
Calvin Austin III showed promise as a role player in 2024, and Roman Wilson still has plenty of potential despite a wasted rookie season. Still, there isn't much to get excited about with this group. Even Metcalf has to prove he can maintain his level of play now that he is out of Seattle.
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Even with that taken into consideration, Sikkema not even mentioning the QB position is confusing to say the least. Pittsburgh's only QBs under contract past 2025 are Mason Rudolph and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard. They would be in the same position they were just in before Aaron Rodgers finally signed before minicamp if they don't address the position in the draft next season.
Sure, they can (and probably will) bring in another veteran next offseason, but finding a viable long-term solution has to be GM Omar Khan's top priority in 2026. That could change if the 2026 QB class ends up looking a lot like the 2025 class, but even then, they can't just keep kicking the can down the road at the most important position in football.
Adding more talent around whoever that QB ultimately is will be important, but it can't be the focus of the 2026 draft.