The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing an interesting 2025 offseason. So far, the team has made some big-time moves, but they’re still waiting on one of the biggest decisions of all—whether Aaron Rodgers will suit up as their starting quarterback for the upcoming season. Rodgers has yet to commit, leaving the Steelers in a holding pattern as they try to finalize their plans at the most important position on the field.
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Former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders holds up his wrist in celebration after a big win.
Even if Rodgers does decide to play in Pittsburgh in 2025, the Steelers must start thinking seriously about the future of the quarterback position. Many draft analysts believe the team could be eyeing a potential move up in the first-round, especially if a highly touted prospect like Shedeur Sanders begins to slide. The idea of pairing a young, dynamic quarterback with a veteran like Rodgers has intrigued fans and insiders alike, and the Steelers could be preparing to make a bold move to secure their long-term future.
However, making that move may not be as easy as it sounds. On Thursday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport responded to a post by @PewterReport—a longtime source for Tampa Bay Buccaneers news—suggesting that there aren’t many teams eager to trade up in the 2025 NFL Draft. That lack of movement could put the Steelers at a disadvantage, especially if they were hoping to climb the board to land a quarterback of the future.
That's what it feels like. Not a lot of teams trying to move up. https://t.co/oUetN47cXs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 10, 2025
With or without Rodgers, the 2025 NFL Draft is going to be very interesting for Steelers fans. This news from Rapoport about the trade market in the draft being less active has a couple of disadvantages but also some advantages. First, the obvious part of this is if the market is less active than usual, maybe that makes it cheaper for the Steelers to move up and get what they want. It also could make it more difficult for Steelers General Manager Omar Khan to maneuver a trade.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan talks on the phone during a practice in the Steel City.
The Steelers might have been banking on a more active trade market to execute a strategic move, such as trading up for a quarterback or trading down to accumulate picks. A quiet market limits their options, potentially forcing them to reach for a player at No. 21 or miss out on addressing key roster holes. Flexibility has always been a key part of Pittsburgh’s draft strategy under Khan, and fewer willing trade partners could lock the team into a less-than-ideal position when the time comes to make a pick.
Steelers Need A Draft Strategy Built For Chaos
Another factor to consider is the quarterback class itself. If Sanders or another top-tier prospect starts to fall, the Steelers could still be in striking distance—but they’ll have to act fast. In a slower trade market, reaction time becomes critical. Pittsburgh would need to have its plans in place well before draft night, with backup scenarios mapped out for various situations. If they can’t move up quickly enough, they risk watching a potential franchise quarterback slip through their fingers.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) sit in the franchise's draft room as they anxiously watch the board in 2023.
Lastly, the uncertainty at quarterback only puts more pressure on Pittsburgh’s front office to get this draft right. Whether Rodgers comes to the Steel City or not, the Steelers need to find long-term answers—not just at quarterback, but across several depth positions. The 2025 draft may lack the buzz of previous years in terms of movement, but for a team like the Steelers, that might be exactly the kind of environment where smart, disciplined teams can gain an edge. The question is whether Pittsburgh can capitalize. The 2025 NFL Draft is going to be very interesting for Steeler Nation to watch unfold.
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