Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh mayor predicts over 1M will attend 2026 NFL draft in his city
PITTSBURGH — Wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers cap, Gov. Josh Shapiro joined team and local officials inside Acrisure Stadium on Thursday to celebrate the NFL draft coming to the City of Champions in 2026.
“Pittsburgh is the absolute best choice to host the NFL draft,” said Shapiro, who promised that the state is prepared to invest in nearby Point State Park, across the Allegheny River from Acrisure, to make sure it is ready to host draft-related events.
“This is going to be a huge regional event and Allegheny County is all in,” Shapiro said.
The governor said the draft will occur during the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States in Philadelphia.
In 2026, Shapiro said Pennsylvania will host World Cup matches, an MLB All-Star game in Philadelphia, March Madness games, the PGA Championship in Delaware County and now the NFL draft in Pittsburgh.
“This couldn’t happen at a more important time for our nation and, dare I say, a more important time for the city of Pittsburgh. This is a city and an organization on the rise,” Shapiro said. “We are showing that we can do big things in Pittsburgh and all across Pennsylvania, and I, for one, can’t wait to see the commissioner stand up and announce the final pick of the first round in the 2026 NFL draft going to the Pittsburgh Steelers after they win the Super Bowl the year before.”
Officials touted the anticipated economic boon to the city and county with Pittsburgh a day’s drive from over 10 other NFL cities and 35 Division I colleges.
Jerad Bachar, president and CEO of VisitPittsburgh, said that the draft, based on previous ones, could have an economic impact between $120 million and $165 million, much of it spent at businesses such as hotels, bars and restaurants.
“We anticipate an incredible turnout for Draft Pittsburgh,” he said.
Gov. Josh Shapiro, right, and Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II listen to Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato speak during a news conference Thursday about the NFL Draft coming to Pittsburgh in 2026.Submitted
The NFL draft has become a marquee three-day event for the league as it travels around the country drawing enormous crowds to downtown areas.
An estimated 775,000 people attended this year’s draft in April in Detroit, besting the record of 600,000 set in 2019 in Nashville. In 2017, Philadelphia hosted the draft, which drew about 250,000.
“This is going to do even better,” said Shapiro, noting that Pennsylvania will become the first state to host two NFL drafts.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey was bolder in his predictions, though.
“Everybody wants to talk about numbers. Here’s my number, I predict we have over a million people come to our city,” he said.
Gainey said that fans will be drawn by legendary Steelers moments such as Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception, Lynn Swann’s “acrobatic catch” against the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X and James Harrison’s 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.
“We have so many memories that no matter what city you go to, no matter where you’re at, one thing you will find is a Steelers bar or restaurant,” said Gainey, his voice rising as if he were giving a Sunday morning sermon.
“People remember the old times that they had to leave because of the closing of the steel mills,” he said. “Now they get to bring back their grandkids and their kids so that they can see what special place raised them up, and regardless of where they lived, why they still call our beloved city home.
Art Rooney II, the Steelers owner and president, said the 2026 draft festivities will include the main stage in the area just outside the second-floor windows of Acrisure Stadium where Thursday’s news conference was held.
Besides events on the city’s North Side where the stadium sits, Rooney has also said that there will be activities planned for Point State Park, where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio River, as well as Downtown Pittsburgh, the Central Business District and the Strip District, an entertainment and eating destination.
“A lot of hard work went into getting to this day,” said Rooney, who added that the draft will serve as a showcase for western Pennsylvania’s deep ties to football and the many stars, including Mike Ditka, Tony Dorsett, Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas and Joe Montana to name a few, that the region has produced.
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said a $1.5 billion modernization project for Pittsburgh International Airport, including a new terminal, will greet visitors who should take advantage of the city’s “cultural assets” and “award-winning” food scene.
“I’m excited that people from all over will have the opportunity to truly gawk at our six Lombardi trophies and also experience our neighborliness,” she said.
Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh
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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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