The Pittsburgh Steelers seem to be setting themselves up to score big with compensatory picks next year. While they’re not completely in control, if some of their past players perform well enough, the team could end up with three to four extra high-value draft picks come 2026. This strategy doesn’t feel accidental, especially given its alignment with their timeline for nabbing a franchise quarterback.
However, Gerry Dulac from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a different take. In a recent discussion about the Steelers’ potential compensatory haul, he remarked, “It is not a conscious effort, but it could turn out to be a good one.”
The team is likely to earn a third-round compensatory pick due to their loss of OT Dan Moore Jr. They’re also expected to secure at least a fourth-round, if not a third, thanks to QB Justin Fields. If Russell Wilson plays significantly and meets his incentives, the gain could range from a third to a fifth-round pick. In total, that’s potentially three extra third-round picks as well as a probable sixth-rounder for James Daniels.
As the Steelers eye Aaron Rodgers, they’re well aware that he’s not a long-term solution at 41 years old. Holding the 21st overall pick in the 2025 draft, which isn’t exactly brimming with quarterback talent, puts them in a tough spot. Hence, many see the accumulation of compensatory picks as a deliberate strategy.
By building up these picks, the Steelers could gain more flexibility, possibly enabling them to trade up. This move might be necessary to secure a future quarterback star.
Still, Dulac maintains that this off-season’s events aren’t the result of a premeditated plan. He refuted the idea that the Steelers and GM Omar Khan are intentionally pooling compensatory picks, stating, “That’s just the way it is occurring.” Yet, it’s tough not to think there might be some truth to both views.
While the Steelers might not be deliberately chasing extra draft picks, they seem to be aware of the potential. Signing players like CB Darius Slay and targeting Rodgers—both released by their previous teams and thus not impacting the compensatory formula—echoes strategies used by teams like the Ravens. They had options but opted for Slay. And although they initially attempted to re-sign Fields, their focus shifted to Rodgers after that didn’t pan out.
Reliance on compensatory picks might not become a defining feature under Omar Khan, but embracing the idea more in the future isn’t far-fetched.
Then again, this could all just be by chance. The plans didn’t include re-signing Dan Moore Jr. or James Daniels, and bringing both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson back was never an option. Plus, they swapped out Elandon Roberts, whose contract didn’t qualify, for Malik Harrison, whose did. In the end, it’s too soon to determine if the Steelers are consciously prioritizing compensatory picks or if this approach is more of a one-off situation.
