Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 NFL Draft trade with Buccaneers to upend Jets move.
Getty
Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could be one of the most interesting teams in the 2026 NFL Draft. With as many draft picks as they have, they could become quite active, starting with their first-round selection.
In total, the Steelers have 12 picks at the moment, giving them plenty of draft capital to entice teams in the first round if they want to move up.
One team they could make a deal with, according to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Steelers Trade-Up Scenario Targets Ty Simpson Ahead of Jets
The Buccaneers currently hold the No. 15 overall pick compared to Pittsburgh’s No. 21. Barnwell notes Tampa Bay could look to trade down if it believes it can still land a notable cornerback or edge rusher.
“If they feel like they can trade down and still land somebody such as [Akheem] Mesidor, [T.J.] Parker or Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) at No. 21, moving down and adding two middle-round picks wouldn’t be too painful,” Barnwell wrote.
So why would the Steelers move up six spots?
To secure their future quarterback in Alabama’s Ty Simpson — and potentially jump ahead of the New York Jets, who pick at No. 16.
“The Steelers would be moving up here in an attempt to land Simpson. There’s a decent chance that they could land him at 21, but with the Jets picking at No. 16, general manager Omar Khan would have to be reasonably worried that New York would be willing to take the Alabama quarterback in the middle of the first round as opposed to waiting until the start of Round 2.”
The proposed trade package is relatively reasonable. Pittsburgh would send picks No. 21, No. 76 and No. 135 in exchange for Tampa Bay’s No. 15 pick and a sixth-rounder (No. 195).
“The rules roughly go out the window when teams are moving up for quarterbacks, but this wouldn’t even be an exorbitant price, with the Steelers ceding one of their three third-round picks and a fourth-round compensatory selection to jump ahead of the Jets,” Barnwell added.
While there are those in Pittsburgh who are fond of sixth-round pick Will Howard, he has yet to take a preseason or regular-season snap. Simpson would likely slot in as QB2 in 2026 behind a veteran — most likely Aaron Rodgers — before taking over long term.
More: Alabama’s Ty Simpson Gets Brutal Career Projection Based On QB History
Steelers’ QB Uncertainty Continues to Fuel Ty Simpson Buzz
Simpson’s draft stock has been all over the place in the last several weeks leading up to the draft.
That said, multiple mock drafts continue to connect him to Pittsburgh, largely because of the team’s uncertainty at quarterback. However, not all have them selecting him at No. 21. It may take a situation like Barnwell’s trade prediction with the Buccaneers to do so.
Aaron Rodgers has yet to announce whether he will return for the 2026 season. While new head coach Mike McCarthy has said he and Rodgers speak regularly, that still doesn’t provide clarity on the situation.
Even if Rodgers does return, it doesn’t change the long-term outlook.
Simpson wouldn’t be expected to start in Week 1. The focus would be on developing him behind a veteran, with the expectation that he could take over in 2027 and beyond.
That’s why a move like this makes sense.
The Steelers aren’t just drafting for 2026 — they’re trying to secure stability at the most important position for years to come.