Steelers' Clear Offseason Plan Blatantly Denied By Team Insider

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have a very different roster once the 2025 regular season kicks off. Both starting quarterbacks from the 2024 season are gone, as is four-year starter at left tackle, Dan Moore Jr. Moore, Justin Fields, and Russell Wilson leaving Pittsburgh in free agency may be great for the organization in the long run; however, it seems like a disaster now with the current quarterback situation for the Steelers. Moore was always assumed to be gone after his contract expired as the Steelers invested back-to-back first-round picks in the tackle position.

The biggest move of the 2025 offseason for the Steelers so far has been acquiring star wide receiver DK Metcalf via a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. However, the most impactful moves might be allowing players like Moore, Fields, Wilson, and James Daniels to leave Pittsburgh. Not only does it create new holes on the roster for Pittsburgh to address, but it also tips the compensatory pick formula in favor of Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Compensatory picks are a way to try to balance out free agency across the league. If a team spends a ton in free agency, it likely won't receive any picks the following year. If a team loses a lot of players in free agency and doesn't match that spending itself, it will probably see some compensatory picks coming its way. That is the case for the Steelers moving forward; however, team insider Gerry Dulac does not believe it is on purpose. The reporter spoke on the idea that Pittsburgh is loading up on compensatory picks on purpose in a chat from Wednesday.

"[Khan] is not hoarding. That's just the way it is occurring." Dulac wrote. "It is not a conscious effort, but it could turn out to be a good one."

General Manager Omar Khan could end up looking like a genius if the Steelers are able to use a bunch of compensatory picks in 2026 to move up in the draft and find the organization's franchise quarterback. However, that is not the plan like many people have theorized. 

Fields and Moore were the biggest free agents to walk away from Pittsburgh, and it is currently projected that the organization will receive a third-round selection for losing Moore and a fourth-round selection for missing out on Fields. Wilson is expected to land the Steelers a fifth-round pick, while Daniels would gain the team a sixth. This is assuming the Steelers do not spend anymore big money in free agency.

Wilson's value could increase as he has a very incentive-laden contract with the New York Giants. The flat rate of the contract should get the Steelers a pick that falls in the fifth round; however, if Wilson sees a bit of success with the Giants and is able to win a handful of games, it could become a fourth-round pick.

Steelers Must Wait To Learn Their Future

Pittsburgh won't know anything about the compensatory picks they will earn for the 2026 NFL Draft until they are released during the 2026 offseason. This means the picks cannot be traded as they have not been rewarded yet. During the 2025 offseason the compensatory picks were announced the day before the new league year began, so fans should expect to learn about the picks during the 2026 legal tampering period. 

The 2026 NFL Draft is going to be held in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers should be one of the big-ticket names going into the event. The four projected compensatory picks gives the team all the firepower necessary to make a splash and trade up, and fans could see the future of the franchise get selected. However, that is not something that is being planned by the franchise. 

What do you think about Dulac's reports? Let us know in the comments below!

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