It might be the worst-kept secret in football, just like the Steelers' interest in Aaron Rodgers before his inevitable signing. The Steelers are going to try to get their quarterback of the future next year in the draft.
With all the draft capital Pittsburgh has acquired for next year’s draft, which is set to take place in the Steel City and feature a much better quarterback class than the most recent draft, it’s obvious the franchise recognizes its moment. Aaron Rodgers said it himself that his time with Pittsburgh is most likely limited to what they accomplish in 2025.
But the recent trade with Miami may have just completely uncovered the Steelers’ true intentions. The move signals an all-in approach for the 2025 season, and it certainly is. But it also gives Steelers fans a hint at what the franchise is building for the future.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Prioritized Draft Power Over Sentiment
The Steelers could have relinquished draft picks to the Miami Dolphins to acquire Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey, but instead, they gave up a locker room leader in Minkah Fitzpatrick and a lowly fifth-round selection. They still have 11 picks in next year’s draft, and seven of those picks are in the first four rounds, plus a full complement of picks in 2027.
With that much spending power and their willingness to lose Fitzpatrick instead of those picks, it’s clear the Steelers mean to have the ammunition to move up and select whichever quarterback they fancy the most in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Letting Minkah Fitzpatrick Go Hurts, But It Makes the Plan Clearer
Many Steelers fans weren’t thrilled to see Fitzpatrick’s name surface shortly after it was announced the Steelers had acquired Ramsey. But, having Ramsey for the next few seasons, as well as the other additions the team has made this season, save for Rodgers, they have found a means to build for right now while also saving for the future.
I was critical of the trade at first glance. But when the dust has settled on the social media feeds, I came to conclude that, well, at least the Steelers are being proactive with intention. It stings that Fitzpatrick is gone, but the inverse of losing one or more of those third-round picks, or something such as a second or first-rounder, would have been catastrophic to the future of the franchise in the name of instant success. Thankfully, that’s not the route the Steelers' front office chose, and that speaks to the strategy by which Omar Khan has built the team.
READ MORE: Steelers finally find their next franchise QB in early 2026 NFL mock draft
Of course, there’s no guarantee the Steelers will be able to move to get the quarterback of their dreams, depending on the outcome of the season. If the Cleveland Browns hold the first overall pick, for example, they aren’t trading it to the Steelers so they can get Arch Manning. Many teams wouldn’t.
But, the Steelers will have the ammunition to move up and take the guy most available to them whom they believe in to carry the franchise into the future. And unlike Kenny Pickett before him, whoever that next quarterback is will have some veteran star power surrounding him so he can hit the ground running.