Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers face a critical 2025 NFL Draft. Aaron Rodgers has yet to make a decision about his future, but that’s not the only reason the team may be forced to pick a quarterback in the first round.
The Steelers‘ decision to trade their second-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange of wide receiver DK Metcalf means Pittsburgh will have to wait many turns between the first and third round.
Therefore, if the Steelers don’t select a quarterback first, they’ll risk missing out on a number of prospects before they get on the clock again. And since Rodgers could turn them down as well, this could be a problem. Adam Schefter of ESPN, however, doesn’t expect Pittsburgh to move up in the draft order.
“There has been speculation about whether Pittsburgh would trade up to secure a quarterback, and remember, it already has traded its second-round pick to Seattle for wide receiver DK Metcalf, leaving the franchise short-handed heading into the draft’s early rounds. This makes it more likely the Steelers will trade back in the draft, not up,” Schefter wrote.
“It also might make their choice at No. 21 even more critical. If they pass on a quarterback, they very well might not have another chance to get one until Round 3. It accentuates the pressure on this pick.“
Steelers may not need to trade up to get the QB Tomlin wants
While many think the Steelers could trade up in order to secure Shedeur Sanders, who’s believed to be Tomlin’s favorite, Schefter believes that Pittsburgh will keep its No. 21 pick, unless it decides to trade back.
Either way, the Steelers shouldn’t push the decision to draft a QB, as it could prove costly later in the draft. Fortunately, Tomlin and company could have an open path to get Sanders without needing to trade up.
According to Schefter, word around the NFL is that the New Orleans Saints may not use their No. 9 pick to get Shedeur, prioritizing other areas of the field. And even if they decide to use their first-rounder on a QB, Jaxson Dart could gain the upper hand.
What if the Steelers don’t draft a QB in the first round?
The Steelers’ intention for the first round remains uncertain though, as Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes that the team could once draft a running back first. Of course, this would only make sense if Rodgers ultimately signs with Pittsburgh. Otherwise, it would sound strange considering they just let Najee Harris leave in free agency.
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“While it might seem strange the Steelers would part with a former No. 1 pick with four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons merely to draft another running back in the first round, don’t dismiss the possibility,” Dulac wrote.