It is going to be very interesting to see how the Pittsburgh Steelers approach the 2026 new league year. Mike Tomlin is no longer around to influence roster decisions, while Omar Khan, Andy Weidl and Mike McCarthy will likely work collaboratively to figure out how to turn the team into a championship contender. A rebuild is allegedly off the table, so the trio will have to work with what they have. Something they do possess is a ton of draft capital, as the franchise is projected to have 12 total selections during April's event. That could change between now and then, however.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan signs memorabilia for the fans as the team prepares to workout during a training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
Pittsburgh has not historically been an organization that likes to trade back in, or out of, round one. The Steelers have always preferred to, at a minimum, take the very best player available when they are on the clock. Not everything has been done according to past tradition under Khan's watch, though. The team has been more aggressive and unpredictable, which should make for an exciting couple of months in the Steel City.
The necessity for a franchise quarterback continues to linger for Khan and co. The unfortunate reality is that the prospects coming out of the college ranks are not that exciting, aside from the consensus first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza. That could lead to the front office getting creative in the next year or so, because a solidified passer is necessary for anyone with consistent Super Bowl aspirations.
In a recent chat hosted by insider Ray Fittipaldo on Tuesday, he was asked about the possibility of Khan trading back, and specifically with new Miami Dolphins General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who has a history with McCarthy from their previous crossover with the Green Bay Packers. It's safe to say that the insider immediately endorsed trading out of the first round if, hypothetically, the Dolphins included a 2027 first-rounder in the package that was proposed by a reader.
"If Miami is willing to do that, sign me up right now! If they're as bad as I think they're going to be, you might have the No. 1 pick. Boom, there's your next franchise QB," Fittipaldo wrote. "Even if it's a top 10 pick, that's a great trade. I think your instincts are right."
Playing chess and not checkers may be necessary for Khan. Depending on how free agency shakes out, the Steelers are likely to still be looking for a legitimate franchise starter, regardless of how positively the brass has been speaking about Will Howard.
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Steelers quarterback Will Howard gets ready to unleash a pass as he runs through a drill as the team works out during the annual Friday Night Lights practice in Latrobe, PA.
There may be concern from the fan base that Khan would hold back on pulling the trigger of such a trade because of the draft taking place in Pittsburgh. Fittipaldo made the assurance that the general manager will strictly be focused on business, no matter where the event is held.
"As for your other suggestion about staying in Round 1 only because the draft is in Pittsburgh, I don't think Omar Khan will let anyone in that building sway him in that regard. In the end, it's just another draft for the GM and scouts, and they have to treat it that way."
The Los Angeles Rams dealt their 2025 first-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons and, because of that, will hold two selections in the Top 32 come late April. This approach could be copied by Khan, and a perfect dance partner might just be Miami. Sullivan recently stated that when it comes to the quarterback position, anything is possible because of how important the spot is to a team's success.
“I think anytime there’s a quarterback in play, you have a chance.”
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 25, 2026
Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan joined The Insiders to discuss the chances of trading Tua Tagovailoa, plus Malik Willis, why he plans to keep Jaylen Waddle or Devon Achane and more. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/5cctMJvXKy
While the draft class isn't that stout, there's no telling what teams may do if they fall in love with a certain prospect throughout the spring. The New York Giants displayed that by trading back up into the first round back in 2025 for Jaxson Dart. It's anyone's guess as to whether or not the Dolphins could take the exact same approach in 2026.
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan sits in front of the media to answer questions during his first NFL Scouting Combine as the head of the team's front office in 2023.
Steelers Can't Pass Up Opportunity To Have Two First-Round Picks In 2027
Pittsburgh has needed a quarterback for nearly half a decade. The team could get lucky and have above-average play from Aaron Rodgers in 2026, but the stopgaps have to end at some point. The 2027 class for signal-callers has a chance to be legendary, and somehow finding a way to grab a second selection in round one could be what finally leads to Khan and co. solving the puzzle.
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