With the NFL Draft set to kick off next Thursday, April 24, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in an intriguing position. While they currently lack a clear starting quarterback heading into the 2025 season, a surprising shift in draft projections could present a golden opportunity—one that few saw coming just weeks ago.
Holding the No. 21 overall pick, Pittsburgh wasn’t expected to be in serious contention for any of the top-tier quarterbacks in this year’s class. Most analysts have long projected Miami standout Cam Ward to be taken first overall by the Tennessee Titans, while Colorado star Shedeur Sanders has consistently been mocked within the top 10—frequently landing with the New Orleans Saints at No. 9, though teams like the Browns and Giants have also been linked to him.
However, as draft day draws closer, buzz around the league suggests that at least one highly-touted quarterback could unexpectedly slide down the board. That development could crack the door open for the Steelers to grab a franchise-caliber signal caller without needing to trade up.
Pittsburgh has reportedly done its homework on a range of quarterback prospects throughout the pre-draft process. While they’ve been connected to a mix of first-round and mid-round options, few expected one of the elite names to fall within reach. If that scenario plays out, general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin could be faced with a franchise-altering decision.
With a well-built roster and a proud defensive identity already in place, the Steelers may only be a quarterback away from returning to serious playoff contention. Should the draft board break their way, Pittsburgh could find itself walking away with a cornerstone player—without sacrificing future draft capital.
It’s a long shot, but the NFL Draft is always full of surprises. And for the Steelers, the biggest surprise of all might just be a franchise quarterback falling right into their lap.
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