If the Steelers truly want Aaron Rodgers to return as their quarterback in 2026, their approach to the NFL Draft didn’t make much sense.
They are — presumably — holding out hope that a 42-year-old quarterback comes back for one more run to get a 10-7 team to a slightly better level than just winning a mediocre division and getting pounded in the first round of the playoffs.
Yet again.
So, let’s recap what they did in the draft over the weekend, and you tell me if their selections are on a parallel track with that goal.
The front office was preparing to get the third of what were perceived to be six wide receivers who were first round worthy at pick No. 21.
Wise plan. DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. were the only receivers of repute on the roster.
When the Philadelphia Eagles yanked the rug from under general manager Omar Khan and stole USC’s Makai Lemon, the Steelers pivoted to get Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor.
Pass protection for Rodgers instead of a pass receiver. Fair enough. Iheanachor has massive physical upside.
However, the Nigerian native is raw, having only picked up the game of football at the junior college level in 2021. They might not feel comfortable entrenching him at left tackle right away, so Troy Fautanu may have to switch over to left tackle (or guard) after he just settled in at right tackle and had a very solid 2025.
Instead of continuing to prioritize getting a wide receiver within the first 40 picks, Khan didn’t trade into the first round for a second pick, even though multiple trades took place after the Iheanachor selection. Nor did he trade up the second round board.
Not only did Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. go to the Jets at pick No. 30, but the division rival Cleveland Browns got both Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion at No. 24 and Washington’s Denzel Boston at No. 39.
The Steelers waited until the middle of the second round before feeling it was necessary to jump up from No. 53 to No. 47 to get receiver Germie Bernard from Alabama as the eighth receiver taken.
He’s a nice prospect but unlikely to make the instant impact the first six receivers off the list are expected to make.
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In the third round, the Steelers used the first of three picks to land Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, before adding much-needed wide receiver depth, a third tight end or a guard.
That’s how much this franchise thinks of Allar, and how little concern they have for the depth of weaponry beyond the starters for Rodgers.
I question the logic.
Regardless, forget giving Rodgers more quality options to work with; the team appears to be more focused on finding his replacement for 2027 before they even have him under contract for 2026.
The Steelers followed that up by drafting Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette and Gennings Dunker. He was a tackle at Iowa who will probably be a pro guard.
Iowa return specialist Kaden Wetjen arrived in the fourth round. He only had 23 career receptions with the Hawkeyes, yet was selected at pick 121. ESPN.com had him rated at pick 252.
The fifth rounder was Indiana tight end Riley Nowakowski, who projects as an NFL H-back/fullback.
After going defense with unheralded Notre Dame defensive lineman Gabriel Rubio and Oklahoma safety Robert Spears-Jennings, the Steelers took Mt. Lebanon’s Eli Heidenreich as their 10th and final selection. He’s a pass-catching running back who’ll likely attempt to become a slot receiver.
So, to recap, the Steelers drafted:
• A raw offensive tackle who may not win a starting job, and if he does, may result in displacing a first-round pick of two years ago, who is just fine at his current position.
• A decent receiver that they traded up to get, instead of one of many potential starting receivers they didn’t feel comfortable moving up to get.
• A tackle that’s moving to guard. A return man who was a JUCO running back, trying to become an NFL receiver after 23 college catches. An H-back. And a college wing back who will attempt to become a slot receiver if he makes the team.
That’s a lot of players moving around and doing NFL on-the-job training in different spots, under the watchful eye of a 42-year-old quarterback who doesn’t hide itwhen other playersmake mistakes.
• Then there is Allar, the “pièce de résistance.” Another quarterback on the depth chart, in addition to Rodgers, Will Howard and Mason Rudolph.
Iheanachor, Bernard, Allar and Dunker may all become very good players someday. Wetjen, Nowakowski and Heidenreich could become useful niche contributors.
I’m just dubious of how many of them immediately help a 42-year-old quarterback — in what may be his final season of pro football — improve an offense that needs lots of assistance right away.
Listen: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss the Steelers’ draft in this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast