James Harrison Exposed Steelers' Secret Plan Back In 2016 To Land 4x Pro Bowl Quarterback

The Pittsburgh Steelers knew their time was running thin with the iconic quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, as he continued to get older in his NFL career. Even while Roethlisberger was still playing at a high level, the reality was clear that the franchise would eventually need a long-term plan at quarterback. For years, the Steelers chose stability and familiarity, trusting their veteran leader, rather than aggressively preparing for the future.

That approach nearly changed during the 2016 NFL Draft. While Pittsburgh ultimately passed on selecting a quarterback, one prospect almost became a Steeler. The Dallas Cowboys ended up drafting Dak Prescott, a fourth-round pick who developed into a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback and one of the top players at his position by the 2025 season.

According to former Steelers legendary linebacker James Harrison, the Steelers were much closer to drafting Prescott than most fans ever knew. Speaking on his Deebo & Joe podcast on Tuesday, Harrison revealed that the organization was preparing to select Prescott in the fourth round. He claimed there was real momentum inside the building to bring the Mississippi State quarterback to Pittsburgh.

"I ain't going to give my sources," Harrison said Monday while speaking with Joe Haden on his podcast. "I've been around the Steelers. I've been through the organization since 2002, so I know some people. We had a chance in 2016 in the fourth round to get a diamond in the rough, but we drafted a tackle that was with us maybe two, three years. We passed on a quarterback that was a diamond in the rough that they wanted to get, but didn't do it. Guess who that quarterback was? Dak Prescott. But that didn't happen for a variety of reasons that I won't get into."

Instead, the Steelers went in another direction. Pittsburgh selected offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins, choosing to add depth and protection up front rather than invest in a future quarterback. Just 13 picks later, the Cowboys seized the opportunity and selected Prescott, a move that would dramatically alter the direction of their franchise. Hawkins ended up being active in just 19 games and starting in just one. It's safe to say, even if the Steelers didn't need a quarterback just yet, Hawkins didn't quite pan out. 

While Harrison did not want to reveal his source, his insight is noteworthy. He has extensive knowledge of how the Steelers operate and remains well connected to the organization. At the time, Roethlisberger was 34 years old, and there were growing questions around the league about how much longer he could continue playing at a high level.

Looking back, the decision stands out as one of the more intriguing what if moments in recent Steelers history. Roethlisberger continued to perform well for several more seasons, which justified the team’s confidence in the short term. Still, it is difficult not to wonder how different things might have looked if Prescott had been developed in Pittsburgh as the eventual successor at quarterback.

Steelers Could Have Had Dak Prescott Replace Ben Roethlisberger

The thought of who would replace Roethlisberger was something many Steelers fans worried about for years. In the NFL, it is often possible to see when a quarterback is approaching the end of his prime, even if he is still productive. Roethlisberger ultimately played until he was 39 years old, finishing an 18-season career.

It was never very Steelers-like to push Roethlisberger out, but the team may have waited too long to prepare for life after him. There is no way to know if Prescott would have developed better, worse, or the same in Pittsburgh, but in Dallas he stepped in, took the starting job from Tony Romo, and never gave it back.

Should the Steelers have drafted Dak Prescott in 2016? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!

#SteelerNation