Steelers Draft Day Gamble: Exploring Trade-Up Scenarios for a Franchise Quarterback

The Pittsburgh Steelers, a franchise steeped in tradition and known for its unwavering commitment to winning, find themselves at a pivotal juncture heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite boasting a roster with promising talent, the quarterback position remains a significant question mark, fueling speculation about a potential draft-day gamble to secure a franchise signal-caller. With the draft just around the corner, the Steelers’ front office, led by general manager Omar Khan, is undoubtedly exploring all avenues to address this critical need, including the possibility of trading up to snag their preferred quarterback prospect.

The Quarterback Conundrum

The Steelers’ search for a long-term answer at quarterback has been ongoing since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. While veterans Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson are currently on the roster, the team recognizes the need to inject young talent and potential into the quarterback room. [7, 11] The pursuit of a franchise quarterback is paramount, and the 2025 NFL Draft presents an opportunity to find that player.

Trade-Up Scenarios: A Calculated Risk

Trading up in the NFL Draft is a high-stakes maneuver, requiring careful evaluation of potential rewards and risks. The cost of moving up can be substantial, often involving multiple draft picks, potentially sacrificing depth in other areas of the roster. However, if the Steelers identify a quarterback prospect they believe can be a true difference-maker, the price may be worth paying.

Several factors could influence the Steelers’ decision to trade up:

The Quarterback Class: The perceived strength and depth of the quarterback class will play a crucial role. If the Steelers believe there are only a few quarterbacks with franchise potential, they may feel compelled to move up to secure one of them.
Team Needs and Draft Board: The draft board is unpredictable, and the Steelers’ willingness to trade up will depend on how the quarterbacks are being selected ahead of their pick. If their target quarterback starts to slide, they may become more aggressive in pursuing a trade.
Potential Trade Partners: Finding a team willing to trade down is essential. Teams with multiple early-round picks or those looking to accumulate draft capital may be more open to moving down, creating opportunities for the Steelers.

Potential Quarterback Targets

While predicting which quarterbacks the Steelers might target is speculative, several prospects have been linked to the team:

Shedeur Sanders (Colorado): Sanders is a highly touted prospect known for his arm talent, accuracy, and leadership qualities. [3, 5, 12, 14, 17, 19, 22] Some analysts predict that Sanders may slide in the draft, which could make him a potential trade-up target for the Steelers. [14]
Jalen Milroe (Alabama): Milroe is a physically gifted quarterback with a strong arm and impressive athleticism. [3, 5, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 25] While he may need some development, his upside could be enticing for the Steelers.
Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss): Dart is a young and talented quarterback with a quick release and the ability to make plays both inside and outside the pocket. [3, 5, 12, 14, 17, 19, 22] His potential as a future NFL starter could make him an attractive option for the Steelers.
Will Howard (Ohio State): The Steelers selected Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 21, 22] Howard led Ohio State to a national title. [3, 4]

The Aaron Rodgers Factor

The potential acquisition of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers has loomed large over the Steelers’ draft strategy. [1, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 15, 17, 20, 24, 25] While the Steelers have expressed interest in Rodgers, his future remains uncertain. [7, 9, 10, 11, 15, 17, 20, 24, 25] If Rodgers were to join the Steelers, it could alter their draft plans, potentially reducing the urgency to trade up for a quarterback. However, even with Rodgers in the mix, the Steelers may still look to draft a developmental quarterback to groom for the future.

Potential Trade Partners and Compensation

If the Steelers decide to trade up, they will need to identify potential trade partners and determine the compensation required to move up the draft board. Several teams could be willing to trade down, depending on their needs and draft strategy.

Some potential trade scenarios include:

Trading with a team in the top 10: This would likely require a significant package of picks, potentially including the Steelers’ first-round pick, a future first-round pick, and additional selections. [23]
Trading with a team in the mid-teens: This would be a less expensive option, potentially involving the Steelers’ first-round pick and a combination of mid-round picks. [14]
Trading with a team just a few spots ahead: This could be a minor move to jump ahead of another team targeting the same player, requiring a smaller package of picks. [18, 23]

The Steelers’ Draft Strategy: A Balancing Act

The Steelers’ draft strategy involves balancing immediate needs with long-term goals. While quarterback is a pressing concern, the team also has needs on the defensive line, running back, and wide receiver. [8, 13, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25]

The Steelers may consider trading down to acquire more picks, allowing them to address multiple needs. [16, 18, 20, 23] However, if they are convinced that a particular quarterback prospect is the future of the franchise, they may be willing to sacrifice depth to secure that player.

Conclusion

The Pittsburgh Steelers face a critical decision in the 2025 NFL Draft. The team’s quarterback situation remains uncertain, and the allure of trading up to secure a franchise signal-caller is undoubtedly being considered. While the risks are significant, the potential reward of finding a quarterback who can lead the Steelers back to Super Bowl contention may be too tempting to pass up. As the draft unfolds, all eyes will be on the Steelers to see if they are willing to gamble on a trade-up scenario to address their most pressing need.