Steelers' Next Franchise QB Could Come To Town Because Pittsburgh Allowed Dan Moore Jr. And Others To Walk In 2025 Free Agency

The Pittsburgh Steelers have not been able to figure out the quarterback position since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 campaign. This much is very clear to fans, and the organization had an opportunity to sign a promising 26-year-old in Justin Fields to run the offense for at least the 2025 and 2026 seasons. The front office failed to do so as the dynamic signal-caller has reportedly agreed to play for the New York Jets. At some point, the franchise has to find someone who can start for the next 10 or more years. That isn't likely to happen in 2025, but it could in 2026.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin simply does not finish below .500. He has yet to do so since taking over as the Steelers' leader back in 2007. This is both a blessing and a curse, but could especially hamper the team's efforts of drafting a franchise signal-caller in 2026. In what is supposed to be a more talented class than the upcoming one in 2025, Pittsburgh should be expected to be heavily involved in that market next year.

Back in 2024, there were six quarterbacks taken in the top 12 selections of the first round. That kind of trend could happen again in 2026 when players like Arch Manning and Nico Iamaleava, among others, are set to head for the professional level. Even though it is over a year away, the Steelers could be set up for a big trade up in round one, especially if the team finds itself drafting in the high-teens or early 20s once again.

The free agency frenzy was wild on the first day of the legal tampering period. Many wanted to talk about Fields heading to New York, and rightfully so, but the contract that Dan Moore Jr. is planning to sign with the Tennessee Titans will go a long way in getting a top compensatory pick in 2026.

Moore isn't the only one who could help the Steelers, however. Fields' deal with the Jets could also turn into a third-rounder, which is phenomenal news for Pittsburgh when looking ahead to 2026.

It's possible that Donte Jackson's deal with the Los Angeles Chargers also nets the Steelers a late-round compensatory pick. When attempting to move up in the first round and jump a significant amount of spots, picks are pivotal. If Pittsburgh is indeed awarded with a plethora of compensatory selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, trading up for one of the top quarterbacks will be easier.

Losing Fields now may sting, but he was rather expensive at $20 million per season without much of a proven track record. Everyone knew that Moore wasn't going to be back, but because of his massive contract that he has agreed to with the Titans, a third-round pick could absolutely be coming Pittsburgh's way. The Steelers could have three or four compensatory picks, which will absolutely make a difference in 2026.

A franchise quarterback is needed in the NFL to make deep playoff runs consistently. Pittsburgh currently doesn't have the right now, which is why drafting a quarterback in one of the next two drafts will almost certainly happen. The front office could take a chance on one in 2025, but with a more promising class set to enter in 2026, waiting it out and using these expected compensatory along with other draft capital could certainly lead to the team finally landing the quarterback of the future.

Steelers Seem To Be Playing The Long Game

If Pittsburgh didn't see enough internally to match he Jets' offer to Fields, then that's exactly why the quarterback will be playing elsewhere in 2025 and beyond. It's just a bonus that this pending signing will lead to a draft pick in 2026. The expected deal for Moore in Tennessee favors the Steelers even more. With it looking as if the organization will have picks galore in 2026, a trade up in round one for the future of the franchise is absolutely on the table.

Do you think that the Steelers will need to trade up to draft a signal-caller in 2026? Let us know in the comments below!

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