Quarterback obviously looms as a higher priority for the Steelers, who have seen their Aaron Rodgers dance extend beyond a month since an offer emerged. Whether or not the Steelers are souring on the aging great, they are likely to make a notable skill-position addition to play behind Rodgers (or Mason Rudolph, Kirk Cousins or a to-be-determined rookie).
The Steelers protected Jaylen Warren with a second-round tender — one that nearly matches where Najee Harris‘ fifth-year option price would have checked in — and signed Kenneth Gainwell to a one-year, $1.79MM deal ($620K guaranteed). They do not appear to be done, as it looks like the AFC North team will be one of the many aiming to take advantage of this year’s deep running back crop.
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Pittsburgh has done a lot of RB work in preparation for this draft, according to ESPN.com’s Matt Miller, and is expected to add here. The team trading its second-round pick for D.K. Metcalf provides a complication, but Miller pinpoints Rounds 3 and 4 for a potential move. Beyond the big names in this year’s RB class, teams should be able to find value (as opposed to last year, where the position did not impress evaluators).
Beyond Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton and Big Ten standouts Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson and Kaleb Johnson, more quality options could be available by Round 3. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. ranks five more RBs (Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo, Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson, Kansas’ Devin Neal, Kansas State’s DJ Giddens and Oregon’s Jordan James) between Nos. 62 and 95 in this year’s class. This contingent, along with other potential fourth- or fifth-round options, undoubtedly would have been chosen earlier if available last year, when only one running back (Jonathon Brooks) went in the first two rounds.
Even as this draft is expected to see several backs chosen then, it is much deeper and figures to entice teams that address other needs earlier. That said, the Steelers have hosted Hampton, Henderson and Johnson.
With Warren and Gainwell in contract years, the Steelers should be expected to use this class to add a potential long-term starter. Even if Warren is extended, the team has viewed him as a change-of-pace option rather than surefire starter. The back that arrives will almost definitely push Warren and Gainwell for playing time, while potentially checking in as the Pittsburgh 2026 starter (after the team passed on paying Harris, who signed with the Chargers).
Making their big splash via trade, the Steelers stand to be rewarded with a host of compensatory picks in 2026. OverTheCap projects the team to add third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-round comp picks for the free agency exits of Dan Moore Jr., Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and James Daniels. This factored into the Steelers’ spending strategy this offseason, GM Omar Khan said (via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac). Although the Steelers had hoped to cut into this by signing a quarterback, Fields passed on the team’s offer while Rodgers has yet to sign. Rodgers would not affect the Steelers’ compensatory formula anyway, being a street free agent. But the team should receive a significant boost to its draft arsenal by letting two O-line starters and both its top QBs walk.
Yesterday it was “Tomlin really likes Sheduer Sanders”, today it’s “Steelers likely to draft RB”. Seems like they’re just making stuff up.
While it is smokescreen/silly season, both can be true as well. The Steelers need players at virtually every position save OL (will still make a depth pick there), TE, and K.
That said given all the extra picks they are projected to get next year, I hope they trade out of the first round to get an extra 1st next year in a much better projected QB class. Trade the two 1sts and more picks to be in the top 5 and get the franchise QB.
I’m gonna ask again as someone who watches way too much college football: who is making these projections about the QB class in ‘26? And will they name names beyond Arch Manning?
Point is, guys like Sanders and Schough would be instant upgrades here and truthfully, I don’t see much better in ‘26. I hear this comment and I wonder what the aim is. You’re right. They have numerous holes but it starts with QB
They’ve been kicking this can down the road since Ben took offense to drafting Rudolph.
Just how long is this going to go on?
Obviously Manning. But also Allar, Iamaleava (despite the NIL shenanigans), Sellers, Nussmeier, and Klubnik are all comparable to Sanders and Dart imo.
Agreed with kicking the can down the road and Ben setting everything back. It won’t stop until they draft inside the top 12, which they do have enough talent to avoid. Worst thing to do is go one and done in the playoffs or just miss and perpetually draft 19-23. That’s why I prefer trading out and getting the capital necessary to be inside the top 10 and take a true swing
I can appreciate your thoughts although I disagree about the QB draft class measuring up to Sanders. I like Schough, saw a number of Louisville games, but wonder if it’s fool’s gold
And I’m just not a Dart fan. Reminds me a great deal of Pickett.
You’re right about their finish each year. Puts them in the middle year in and year out
Thursday is going to be interesting
Schough reminds me so much of Pickett in that he’s older and only had the major production in that final year. I can’t have a guy be 27 before I figure out if he’s the guy.
Yeah. Age and prior injuries
But he’s a much better QB. Much better arm. Much better pocket awareness and reads.
Definitely better than Pickett. I’d just rather punt and stock up for next year. Instead we will likely take DL which isn’t horrible
Sadly Rodgers is an upgrade on Rudolph and are probably right with Sanders or Schough, but the Steelers need to be worse or get lucky to reset at QB. Obviously anything can and will happen, hence Tom Brady at 199 and to a much lesser degree Purdy with the final pick of the draft.
they can actually do both. They can draft a QB with their first pick and RB wih the last pick and they “drafted a rb”
@Birdie, it’s a third or fourth round pick they’d use, not a first. There’s multiple picks in a draft, so they could do both, in case that wasn’t clear.
So many good backs. They can get a stud in round 2-3. I’d go for Skaettebo or Judkins day 2
Either of them would be wise choices. Good system fits and not afraid to hit somebody
Especially Cam. I watched his tape and it was insane the power and brute force he applies to his runs
Reminds me a great deal of Bettis. Power back who’d fit well here
Who are you talking about? “Reminds me of Bettis” is intriguing.
Cam Skattebo of Arizona State
Skattebo
If they draft a RB in the first three rounds Pittsburgh might revolt.
Steelers should draft Damien Martinez. He fits the mold!