The Pittsburgh Steelers have a storied history that is not often compared to many organizations throughout the entire professional sports world. The Rooney family has done an incredible job earning a reputation that is respected all across the world. Aside from building championship-worthy rosters, the franchise helped bring one of the most important rules to the NFL: the Rooney Rule. This requires teams around the league to interview minority candidates for head coaching positions, as well as other vacancies on the staff and in the front office. It has been present in the league for over two decades and continues to expand.
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Steelers President Art Rooney II roams the sidelines prior to a 2022 preseason matchup at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Not too long ago, the NFL introduced a compensatory pick program that rewards teams for developing and hiring minority candidates before they leave for a higher position externally. With several general manager and head coach openings throughout the league as the majority of teams begin offseason planning, it is likely that certain teams will receive two third-round compensatory picks - one in 2025 and one in 2026.
These selections will come after compensatory picks that teams are given after losing specific players to certain contracts in free agency. While many throughout the Steelers' fan base expected assistant general Manager Andy Weidl to get looks to be the head of a front office somewhere, Director of Pro Scouting Sheldon White is another highly-regarded individual that was asked to interview prior to Weidl.
The #Raiders have requested permission to speak with #Steelers director of pro personnel Sheldon White for their vacant GM, source said. A well-respected member of their department.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 15, 2025
White, a minority candidate, should have a decent chance of being offered the job for the Las Vegas Raiders. While it would be a tough hit for Pittsburgh's scouting department, the roster is in need of a big overhaul in several different areas. Getting two extra third-round picks in the next two drafts would be a huge win for the Steelers, and also a big-time promotion for White, who is deserving.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan picks up the phone in the team's war room during the 2023 NFL Draft weekend.
White was the former Vice President of Player Personnel for the Detroit Lions before coming to the Steel City when General Manager Omar Khan was promoted back in 2022. During Khan's introductory press conference nearly three years ago, he was extremely complimentary of White. He noted that he was going to be a big addition for the organization.
"[Sheldon] White brings a lot of experience," Khan said. "[He's] a very loyal person. He's going to be an asset. Again, he's a Steelers type of person... He's going to be a great addition here."
Because White has been with the Steelers for over two years, him being hired as a general manager elsewhere would qualify for the league's new rule regarding compensatory picks. It wouldn't be ideal to lose your director of pro scouting, but one would have to be happy for White, and also be happy with the fact that more draft capital would be coming in the direction of Pittsburgh.
An extra third-round pick would give the Steelers an opportunity to move up earlier in the draft if a player they desperately want is within reach, but it also could provide the franchise with the ability to simply have another selection on the first two days come late April. Not to mention, another third-round pick in 2026 could help make a trade deal happen if Khan is active in the market come March, and into the offseason.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) sit in the franchise's draft room as they anxiously watch the board in 2023.
Steelers Need More Draft Capital To Upgrade Roster
Pittsburgh is going to need to be extremely aggressive in all three phases of roster development in the 2025 offseason. Free agency, the trade market, as well as the draft are all important if the team is going to become elite by the time September rolls around. Everyone in the building would be thrilled for White if he gets the job in Las Vegas, and it also makes it a little bit easier to say goodbye when extra draft capital is involved.
Do you think that the Steelers need more draft picks in 2025 and 2026? Let us know in the comments below!
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