The Pittsburgh Steelers decided to not trade away any significant draft capital before, or at, the league's annual deadline. Many speculated if the team would go out and look for help at the wide receiver position, but General Manager Omar Khan felt inclined to hold off on giving that one extra pick. The front office wasn't interested in truly blowing anybody away, and a main reason for that is because the organization is expecting to have over 10 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held in the Steel City. Compensatory picks are included in that projection, but those are ever-changing.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan stands over near and signs pictures for the fans as the team prepares to work out during a training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
It felt as if the Steelers could add some mid-round selections based on the departures of several free agents. One to always keep an eye on has been Russell Wilson. The quarterback began the year as the starter for the New York Giants, but then was eventually replaced by rookie Jaxson Dart. Snaps for Wilson fell off of a cliff, which was expected with him being the second-stringer, and Pittsburgh's potential compensatory pick for Wilson continued to fall.
Any and all playing time for Wilson could help the Steelers, particularly because the veteran started for nearly the first month of the campaign. Now, with Dart questionable for Week 11, it was believed that Wilson would play another full game of snaps if the first-year playmaker had to sit out with a concussion. Interim Head Coach Mike Kafka reportedly has other plans, as Jameis Winston is in line to make the start.
More changes for the #Giants: Jameis Winston is elevated to No. 2 QB and expected to start Sunday in the event Jaxson Dart doesn’t clear the concussion protocol, per The Insiders.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 12, 2025
Winston was moved ahead of Russell Wilson, as interim coach Mike Kafka informed them. pic.twitter.com/Do4IuTVaWq
It's not ideal for the Steelers to sit back and watch Wilson on the sideline. It appears as if he has officially been demoted to the third-stringer in New York. No one should be surprised if he requests his release in the hopes of landing with a playoff contender. That still won't help Pittsburgh, but the veteran may have a chance to be a part of a postseason run for one final time.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Former Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson runs against the Bengals in Week 13 of the 2024 regular season during an away game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
If the Steelers plan to make a massive trade to move up in the first round of the draft, a fourth, or even fifth-round compensatory selection could be a nice little sweetener. Now, with Wilson's demotion sending him even further down the depth chart, Pittsburgh won't be expected to get much at all for its former starter from the 2025 campaign.
Russell Wilson has gone from unchallenged starter in March to taking EVERY first team rep in training camp as team sources raved about how much he had left in the tank to QB2 in Week 4 to QB3 for a 2-8 team in Week 11.
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) November 12, 2025
Wonder if he asks for his release https://t.co/v05kn6zqvk
The compensatory pick formula is a confusing one, and it won't be finalized until months into 2026. With that said, the Steelers aren't going to get the return that the originally envisioned when Wilson signed with the Giants. One other intriguing piece to the puzzle is Dart's health. If he happens to suffer one more head injury, he could go on Injured Reserve (IR). With the recent news, it appears that Winston, not Wilson, would serve as the starter during that time period, if it were to occur.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Former Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson prepares to make a throw on the run as Pittsburgh takes on the Ravens in a crucial AFC North matchup at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD.
Steelers May Take A Compensatory Selection Hit With Another 2025 Free Agent
Justin Fields remains the starting signal-caller for the New York Jets, but it seems like a weekly conversation that goes on with Head Coach Aaron Glenn. The organization is almost certain to draft Fields' replacement come April, so at any point, Glenn could decide to bench Fields due to inconsistent play. This is another decision that would negatively impact the Steelers' hopes for the best package of compensatory picks possible.
Do you think that the Steelers are surprised by how bad their comp picks may actually be? Let us know in the comments below!
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