It’s already Week 14, and I have to say, that is so depressing. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Christmas. It’s the best time of year. I spend way too much money on decor for my home, and I love it. But man, when the season is almost over, it always feels like it’s too soon.
Pittsburg, PA
Steelers mailbag: Will Pittsburgh trade for Kyler Murray?
Maybe I also dread this time of year a lot as of late because the Steelers are always in the midst of a collapse, as they are right now. They are 6-6, have lost five of their last seven, and are heading to Baltimore to face the Ravens. Ahead of that, though, let’s dive into this week’s mailbag.
Q: Can we start over? – ChippedHam
A: If by this you mean rebuild, I’d welcome it with open arms. Trade Cam Heyward for a Day Three pick. Trade T.J. Watt for a Day Two pick (no, you aren’t getting anything better than that. Certainly not a first-round pick). Trade Highsmith in a package to move up in the draft for a quarterback. Trade Mike Tomlin to the Giants or Titans. Hire Klint Kubiak. Draft one of the top quarterbacks and definitely start a new era in Pittsburgh.
Q: If you had the #1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft would you select a QB? If so who would it be? If not a QB, who would you select? Who You Got:
- #11 BYU vs #4 Texas Tech
- #3 Georgia vs #9 Alabama
- #2 Indiana vs #1 Ohio State
- Duke vs #17 Virginia – Pittsblitz56
A: Fernando Mendoza is the easy choice. He’s the best quarterback in the Nation. If it can’t be a quarterback, Rueben Bain to put opposite of Herbig after all of the trades I would make. I’ll actually do a piece to show my “Trade Everyone Draft.”
Conference Championship Picks: Texas Tech, Georgia, Indiana, Virginia
Q: Please, please, please, tell me the Steelers won’t go after Kyler Murray. I’ve lived in AZ (huge Pitt fan), my whole life. K1 is too short, too fragile, and not a good QB, 6.5 years have shown this. Please make me be able to sleep at night…lol – Muchodiablo
A: I’d like to say no, but it wouldn’t shock me if they went after him. I’m not a Kyler guy, either. At this point, this is just who he is. For every great game he has, he’ll have three mediocre performances where it looks as if he’s never seen a football. Hard pass from me. Draft a guy and start over.
Q: With a backup LT, can Aaron handle any more hits like he did the past few weeks? Are the Steelers ready to shut him down after the next big hit and just see what they have Rudy? And are you confident the 2026 draft is the year to draft the next Terry/Benjamin or Pickett? – Polamolicules_Dude
A: Andrus Peat actually played solid against the Bills, and the Ravens’ pass rush isn’t great. There’s nothing to see with Rudolph. We know what he is – he’s a backup quarterback. If they wanted to see what they had, they should start Will Howard (they won’t). I’m far from a college football quarterback expert, but Fernando Mendoza looks like he’ll be very good on Sundays. Dante Moore looks good. Ty Simpson could fit what Arthur Smith wants to do and could be something. It’s a fine trio of guys, just completely different from who many expected to be the cream of the crop.
Q: All of your concerns are valid. But just to play devil’s advocate…. the realist in me thinks that next year is where we fully embrace the rebuild. If we were flirting with a top 5 selection this year, maybe there’s a shot at getting your next franchise QB, but the class ain’t looking great. The point is, we won’t be drafting high enough to get our franchise QB this year, so let’s load up on talent to surround that guy with when he gets here in a year or two.
If they take that approach, I’m probably ok with a bridge year of Murray. Probably wouldn’t move the needle overall, but he’s elusive enough that he’d make our offense a degree or two more exciting to watch. Defenses would just have to play a little more honest to respect his escapability… and if we’re gonna suck next year anyway, why not make the offense a modicum more exciting to watch? At least the drives may see the chains move a few times before ending in a turnover as opposed to 750 3&outs per game.
I’m not saying I WANT it… I’m just saying that’s probably a mild upgrade over recent approaches… signing another QB in their late 30s who doesn’t have their legs anymore. – ThePen_IsMightier
A: I just really don’t want to sit through another mediocre season, man. Of course, when training camp rolls around, I’ll be excited and let myself believe it could be different, but deep down, I’ll know it won’t be. The class is fine, in terms of QBs, and the Steelers can trade up. That’s how the Bills got Josh Allen, and it’s how the Chiefs got Patrick Mahomes. Gotta rip the band-aid off and start over. I’d be incredibly excited for a rebuild.
Q: Fender or Gibson? The Rolling Stones or the Beetles? Or is it Beiber or Rodrigo, cough… (sorry, I just vomited in my mouth) Dodge, Ford, or the brand for losers? Scotch or Bourbon? – Les Norton
A: I don’t know who Fender or Gibson are. I think both the Rolling Stones and Beetles stink (I’m 26, to be fair. Both far precede me). If I had to pick a truck, I’d probably pick a Tacoma, but I did get a Bronco for a rental once for the Combine, and I didn’t want to take it back. Plus, I owned a Malibu for a while, and it was a pain, so probably Ford. I’m very basic when it comes to drinks. I like Jameson, so I guess I’m splitting the difference with an Irish Whiskey.
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It’s only fitting that one of the most eventful offseasons in Pittsburgh Steelers history will be capped by an equally unpredictable NFL draft. Owning 12 picks, including five in the top 100 for the first time since 1999, GM Omar Khan has a chance to radically change the franchise’s trajectory in front of a home crowd in Pittsburgh.
Last time they held five picks in the top 100, the Steelers found a couple very good long-term starters like OLB Joey Porter Sr. and DE Aaron Smith. But they also struck out on WR Troy Edwards, DB Scott Shields, and OT Kris Farris.
At a pivotal, transitional phase in franchise history, the Steelers can’t afford to find just two good starters. That may be a challenge in a draft lacking top-end talent that falls off a cliff in the later rounds. If they are out of range of coveted players, they can’t be timid in the trade market.
I posed the question on this week’s episode of The Depot Dive: Over or under 2.5 trades for the Steelers? I wanted to take the over, but it’s hard to make that work without a trade down. I settled on two.
All that said, here’s my best attempt at predicting what the Steelers will do in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Round One (12th Overall) – Spencer Fano/OL/Utah – 6054, 311 pounds
Trade: Steelers send Patrick Queen + Pick No. 21 + Pick No. 121 + Pick No. 224. Cowboys send Pick No. 12 + 2027 sixth-round pick.
If they want Vega Ioane or Fano, I think it will require a move up. But I don’t think the Steelers will want to sacrifice a lot of picks to accomplish that. Queen is an easy target with the Cowboys having reported interest in trading for him during free agency.
Using our Dave Bryan’s trade idea as a loose template, I like the Steelers to jump up in the first round to solidify the trenches once again. This is the best move for the current—which we know the Steelers place a heavy emphasis on—and the future as they lock in a potentially elite offensive line for the next decade.
It’s a bonus that Fano can play guard now — and potentially tackle later if Broderick Jones or Dylan Cook don’t work out. Fano is Dane Brugler’s top OL in the class. If he makes it to 12, I like the value a lot.
Others Considered: OG Vega Ioane, WR Makai Lemon, TE Kenyon Sadiq
Spencer Fano Scouting Report
Round Two (53rd Overall) – Jacob Rodriguez/ILB/Texas Tech – 6013, 231 pounds
Trading Queen creates a need that outweighs others (like wide receiver). Maybe Rodriguez doesn’t fall this far, but he should be the Steelers’ top target if he does.
As a former quarterback, Rodriguez has a unique football IQ that could be a force multiplier for the entire Steelers defense–something Patrick Queen never really turned into. I witnessed it firsthand at the Senior Bowl. He got everybody aligned correctly pre-snap in an environment where all had to learn a new defense in just a few days.
He’s also the most decorated defensive playmaker coming out of college in decades, even more than Payton Wilson’s impressive list of accolades from a couple years ago. This would be a home-run pick.
Others Considered: WR Denzel Boston, ILB CJ Allen, S Treydan Stukes
Jacob Rodriguez Scouting Report
Round Two (59th Overall) – Germie Bernard/WR/Alabama – 6012, 206 pounds
Trade: Steelers send No. 76 + No. 99. Texans send No. 59.
Another move up to make sure the Steelers get a receiver they like at the end of the second round. Bernard was a pre-draft visitor and has the size and athletic profile that Mike McCarthy likes at the position. He does everything well, and played a healthy mix of slot and outside receiver to fit in the rotation with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.
Others Considered: WR Zachariah Branch, WR Chris Bell, ILB Jake Golday
Germie Bernard Scouting Report
Round Three (85th Overall) – Kamari Ramsey/S/USC – 6002, 202 pounds
Not every selection will be a pre-draft visitor, and Ramsey fits the description of the type of defensive back the Steelers have looked at. He has played a strong mix of safety and nickel and is capable of being a chess piece in Patrick Graham’s defense. Given the Steelers’ crowded secondary, he could focus on backing up Jalen Ramsey at free safety in the beginning.
Others Considered: S Jalen Kilgore, OG Keylan Rutledge, QB Drew Allar
Kamari Ramsey Scouting Report
Round Four (135th Overall) – Carson Beck/QB/Miami (FL) – 6046, 233 pounds
The Steelers have spent too much time scouting quarterbacks not to take one. And Beck has several traits they are looking for, including his track record as a winner and his size at nearly 6-5. Their view of Mike McCarthy as a QB whisperer suggests they will give him as many projects as possible until one sticks.
Others Considered: CB Tacario Davis, QB Garrett Nussmeier, WR Ja’Kobi Lane
Carson Beck Scouting Report
Round Five (161st Overall) – Ephesians Prysock/CB/Washington – 6033, 196 pounds
Prysock has all the traits to turn into an impact starter, and the Steelers have gravitated toward th long, rangy athletes at cornerback. He wouldn’t need to see the field right away with a crowded stable of defensive backs, but he has plenty of long-term upside.
Others Considered: WR/KR Kendrick Law, WR Josh Cameron, S Michael Taaffe
Ephesians Prysock Scouting Report
Round Six (216th Overall) – Kaden Wetjen/WR-KR/Iowa – 5090, 193 pounds
Calvin Austin III and Kenneth Gainwell both departed in the offseason, which means the Steelers need a kick and punt returner. Wetjen is the top return specialist in the draft with six total return touchdowns in college.
Others Considered: OT Aamil Wagner, CB Thaddeus Dixon, WR Caleb Douglas
Kaden Wetjen Scouting Report
Round Seven (230th Overall) – Josh Cuevas/TE/Alabama – 6033, 245 pounds
Cuevas is versatile enough to be a rotational backup tight end, and to play H-back or fullback in certain personnel packages. He’s a committed and aggressive blocker and has enough receiving skills to be a dependable option on passing downs, either running routes or blocking.
Others Considered: DL David Gusta, RB Jaydn Ott, TE Matthew Hibner
Josh Cuevas Scouting Report
Round Seven (237th Overall) – Brett Thorson/P/Georgia – 6012, 237 pounds
The Steelers brought back Cameron Johnston, but they didn’t even keep him over Corliss Waitman after last year’s training camp competition. Johnston is 34 years old and has dealt with injuries in each of the last two seasons. Thorson has a relationship with Johnston as a fellow Aussie, so it could be a decent pairing for another training camp competition this year.
Others Considered: WR CJ Daniels, QB Sawyer Robertson, TE John Michael Gyllenborg
Brett Thorson Scouting Report
A United flight traveling from Chicago to New York City diverted to Pittsburgh International Airport on Saturday afternoon for what was described as a “reported threat.”
According to information provided by the Allegheny County Airport Authority and FBI Pittsburgh, United Flight 2092 diverted to Pittsburgh and landed safely.
The passengers have deplaned safely, and no injuries have been reported.
“The plane was diverted and landed at Pittsburgh International Airport,” FBI Pittsburgh said in a statement provided to KDKA-TV. “All passengers and crew safely evacuated the aircraft. FBI Special Agent Bomb Techs and Special Agents are on the ground coordinating with local authorities.”
The airport authority has said that law enforcement is on the scene and investigating.
This is a developing story, and will be updated.
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