All 32 teams still own their first-round pick as the countdown to the draft nears an end. Movement up and down the order could be in store soon, although 2025 is not expected to witness many blockbuster trades given the nature of this year’s class. 
As a result, the list of teams interested in moving back is lengthier than usual. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Steelers are among those looking to trade down, something which comes as little surprise. Pittsburgh’s acquisition of Pro Bowl wideout D.K. Metcalf included the team’s second-rounder in 2025, so trading back to recoup some of that lost capital would be a feasible approach. As Schefter notes, however, there are few known parties looking to trade up.
The Steelers own pick No. 21, which may put them in range to add a quarterback. Per Schefter, the team did not originally intend to select a signal-caller on the opening night of the draft, but the board may allow for that to take place. Shedeur Sanders has been viewed at times as a first-round lock but has seen his stock drop recently, something Schefter adds the Steelers did not anticipate. The Colorado product may be available as a result, and head coach Mike Tomlin has been named as a Sanders supporter.
Pittsburgh is also among the teams which have put together a strong evaluation of Jaxson Dart. The Ole Miss product is considered a first-round prospect by the Steelers, a team still in need of a long-term Ben Roethlisberger successor. Mason Rudolph is back in the organization, but it would come as no surprise if a rookie were to be added this week as competition for the starting gig in 2025 or at least an option to take over QB1 duties down the road.
Aaron Rodgers looms as a stopgap option for next season, but it remains to be seen if he will play in 2025 (and if so, for the Steelers). Pittsburgh has remained patient while awaiting a decision on the Rodgers front, and that process could easily extend past the draft. It will be interesting to see if a first-round signal-caller is in the fold shortly in the Steelers’ case or if the team aims to trade down on the opening night of the draft.
Dodge the bullet.
Trade #21 to a team that isn’t you and let them reach for a QB. Walk away with a DT and a RB instead.
They painted themselves into a corner, the best move at this point is to build up the rest of the roster, slog through the year with Rudolph and Rodgers and have a roster ready for a first round QB to succeed with next year.
named Manning!
Even if the Steelers could possibly get to the top pick (doubtful), Manning likely won’t even come out next year. He’s 19, he’s thrown under 100 passes in college, neither of his uncles came out early, and he’s making plenty of money through NIL.
I would agree. He won’t leave Texas early, NIL is great for that. Can build a college legacy.
last 24 hours on here
– The Steelers have a first round grade on Dart
– they like Sanders and would be surprised if he fell
– they may wait on QB and go with a DT or RB
– they are looking to trade down
welcome to the NFL Draft where every reporter and insider is told a different story.
Add to this that the college football season ended months ago. The combine is long over
And somehow, a player’s “stock” is falling or is rising in the days before the draft. It’s almost comical
21 for 32 and a 4th or 5. Eagles take Starks. Steelers take Dart at 32.
not even close. think it would be closer to 21 and 123 for 32 and 64.
Any trade and the steelers need to replenish that 2nd round pick
moving up 11 spots will garnish way better than 4 or 5.
Birds have plenty of pics..this would net a 3rd with 32.
I think if Dart is still there at the end of the first round, the Giants might leap-frog that using their second round pick (and something else) and grab him. It’s just a hunch but I feel like the Giants love Dart. Hunter or Carter at #3 and Dart at the end of the first round.
I read this article and think ‘Oh, no. The Texans are dumb enough to trade up even though somebody great will be there at 25. Caserio does fall in love with certain players (Metchie, Scruggs, Harris) and move up unnecessarily imo.
Anything reported by dulac and fitzagarbage are just grasping for air stories. Pittsburgh sports reporters and talk show hosts are garbage. That goes for national media also.
They just make things up to stor controversy
Are the Steelers deliberately trying to look as confused as the Pirates?
I want to believe that Khan has some kind of plan going on behind the scenes and that all of this Rodgers drama and draft rumors is all just him bluffing.
But given his first couple years here, I’m not so sure
Kahn was good at negotiating contracts…as a gm, he has a lot of learning. Of course we know who the real gm and who has the power…tomlin
We heard from both sides that the Rodgers/Steelers meetings went well. We heard Rodgers had a throwing session with Metcalf out West. Only later did we hear that Rodgers flew into a different airport in an attempt to keep the meeting quiet, and that came from Rodgers.
Things have been AWFUL quiet out of the Steelers front office — almost everything appears to be info that the media or public are “hearing” and running with.
.
The reality is that there is undoubtedly things going on behind the scenes that no one knows about.
Cam Hayward said that “All of this is fake” regarding Rodgers, draft leanings, etc on his podcast. I tend to believe that and agree with your viewpoints here
Just like the Steelers led everyone to believe they were looking elsewhere then drafted Pickett, I have to believe there’s a lot more to all of these stories that the Steelers are keeping to themselves