The Pittsburgh Steelers have lingered in quarterback purgatory longer than fans would like. They missed when they selected Kenny Pickett in the 2022 NFL Draft, and neither Russell Wilson nor Justin Fields did much to move the needle in 2024. The team claimed to want one of the two to return for 2025. Those doors are closed as Fields signed with the New York Jets and Wilson with the New York Giants. The Steelers appear to be waiting on Aaron Rodgers to decide on his future, and most NFL insiders feel it is just a matter of time. There are still questions about the route the team is headed in and if they are making the best choices for their future.
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Former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
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Former NFL General Manager Doug Whaley spoke with The Fan Morning Show on 93.7 The Fan about the decision to let Wilson go. Whaley said that he believes the team is amassing compensatory picks to make a move in the 2026 NFL Draft to find the team's next franchise quarterback. Regardless of who starts in 2025, that person is just a bridge to get them to next year. General Manager Omar Khan will make his mark on this team with that selection.
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) March 25, 2025For the time being, I'm going to add Russell Wilson into the 2026 compensatory pick database with the guaranteed money that's been reported.
That would be a 5th rounder to the Steelers at minimum.
However, up to $21M could make up to a 3rd possible.https://t.co/5MiEWoHfXW
Whaley told co-host Adam Crowley that he hears fans saying the team should just "tank" this season so they will have a higher selection in next year's draft. The other idea he hears is that their selection at 21 isn't beneficial, and they should trade back. He said he tells people all the time that trading back only works if people are beating down your door to move up. He applauds the decision to let Wilson go to the Giants, rather than keep him because it is easier, or because he knows the offense.
"Why re-sign these guys or wait to see if someone wants to trade with us?" Whaley explained. "Now you take it into your own hands. They have a plan. That's the difference. That's why I like what they are doing now. That's where I'm trying to get Steeler Nation to see. Yeah, it's going to be a long year, but we've always said you're going to need to take a step back to take a step forward. But when they take a step back, it's a calculated step back, and they have a plan to go forward. But I like the plan that they put in place."
Crowley agreed, saying in his opinion, there doesn't seem to be a significant difference between Rodgers and Wilson. If there isn't a measurable improvement, then why not take the compensatory pick instead? Whaley agreed, saying that none of their recent acquisitions, like DK Metcalf, Darius Slay, or even Rodgers if they sign him, impact that compensatory formula.
Former Steelers QB Russell Wilson.
This is why even if the plan doesn't seem to make sense to fans, it makes sense to Crowley. He said this team is building for its future and working to put itself in a position to easily acquire an excellent quarterback in 2026.
The Steelers Are Taking A Page From The Ravens
The Steelers' AFC North foe, the Baltimore Ravens, have mastered accumulating compensatory picks that set them up for future success. There was evidence they did that when they acquired Diontae Johnson and didn't use him.
Whaley believes that Khan is trying to implement something similar, which showed in how they handled Wilson. If Wilson wasn't bringing enough to the team to get them to win a playoff game, then they would be better off with whatever the compensatory pick is instead.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin with General Manager Omar Khan.
