It was another dismal game this week for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as their average season continues under the uninspiring direction of Head Coach Mike Tomlin. They fail to improve year after year, and many are starting to take notice. Everyone in Pittsburgh knows that Tomlin has kept this franchise stuck in the mushy middle for countless seasons, with no clear plan to return to Super Bowl contention.
No, the Steelers are never ‘bad’ under Tomlin, but they’re never truly great either. They consistently fall short against teams with competent quarterbacks, trapping Pittsburgh in a humiliating purgatory. It’s rewarding to win football games over a grueling season, but it doesn’t mean much on its own.
Success only matters if you can secure an impact player in the NFL Draft or make a significant mark in the playoffs.
There seems to be no end in sight for the Steelers, but maybe this could be the year when things change. They sit at a 6-5 record and have a tough schedule during their final six games of the season. Many in the fanbase have called for the team to lose for a top draft pick, and for those fans, it could become a reality. They might not tank on purpose, but they could sink lower in the standings.
Pittsburgh Steelers failures this season could lead them to rare possibilities at the NFL Draft
If there is a silver lining for the rest of the season, it will be how their pick fluctuates for the upcoming NFL Draft. It appears the team is secure in making a splash at the upcoming event in their home city this Spring. They would love to draft a top quarterback prospect, but it's unknown how those players will shake out. Some might return to school, while others have witnessed their stock drop this year.
Another concern around the Steelers taking a quarterback high in the draft, especially if they need to trade up for one, is the lack of trust in Tomlin to develop them. While Kenny Pickett had many deniers when Pittsburgh selected him, the head coach didn't do him any favors. They failed to surround the young quarterback with talent, and Tomlin has struggled to develop players at the position.
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It wouldn't shock anyone in Steelers Nation to see this team somehow battle its way to a 9-8 finish. That won't get them into the playoffs, but it would keep them in the middle tier of the league, just how Tomlin likes it. That being said, the franchise should have enough ammunition to move up ten to 15 picks in the draft if they feel a need to land a quarterback prospect.
It is nice in theory, but everyone should be concerned about Tomlin grooming a young quarterback.
The only way this plan works is if the Steelers don't have to sell off a bounty of draft picks to trade up for a qualified prospect. It appears to be an underwhelming class in 2026 compared to the hype leading into the college football season. Pittsburgh could have a chance to draft a top quarterback if they keep losing this season, but we all know they’ll fight to finish 9-8.