Pittsburgh Steelers Rebuild: It’s About Time

For starters, at 10-7, and as a playoff team, the Steelers will likely be drafting somewhere in the vicinity of 21st, which isn’t where teams can grab a franchise quarterback, especially not in a class as weak as 2026. The team will need to tank for the 2027 NFL Draft, which will be headlined by Oregon’s Dante Moore and Texas’ Arch Manning. 

Needless to say, the team will not be running it back with the ancient one, Aaron Rodgers. The most likely scenario is that they bring in a player like Anthony Richardson. The Colts have already started negotiations on a long-term deal with Daniel Jones, so they’d be happy to send Richardson packing for a 6th round pick. It’s a low-risk, high-reward gamble. 

If Richardson reaches his potential, then there will be more than one Lamar Jackson in the division. If he does what he’s done throughout his entire career (including at Florida), he will lead the league in interceptions until he gets hurt after 10 games or so. That should be enough to get into a top-10 position and find a quarterback of the future in 2027. 

Selling Of Pieces

The Steelers’ defense was “mid” last year, but they have some big names with decent value. TJ Watt could be the best defender in the NFL not named Myles Garrett. The team could dangle him and see if they could get a Micah-Parsons-type return to build with. It would also save them $32 million against the cap. DK Metcalf is another guy they won’t need in a tanking season that will be too old afterwards. Dealing him could get back a second-rounder and save another $25 million.

Pittsburgh wouldn’t get much for Jalen Ramsey, but they would save $19 million by dealing him, and put the team in the really bad position they are hoping for. Loaded with picks and $200 million under the 2027 salary cap. A horrendous year that can lead to an amazing dynasty if they play their cards right. 

End Of My Pittsburgh Steelers Rebuild Rant

The biggest hurdle will be finding the right coach. It will have to be someone in high demand, with tons of talent, who would be willing to suffer that first embarrassing year to collect the spoils the following season. Mike McDaniel would jump at the chance, but that’s not the fish the team should be casting for. 

Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike Lafleur is the guy. The younger brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, Mike is one of the brightest young offensive minds in the game today. Last season, the Rams led the league in yards gained and points per game. He’s the perfect guy to cut his teeth during a rebuild year and coach the starting quarterback of the future. 

The NFL has been waiting 20 years for this to happen. The joy they take in watching the Steelers suffer, though, will be short-lived if the team plays its cards right. Who knows for sure? Maybe they will be the new Raiders. No matter how it plays out in the end, for those who hate the terrible towel, 2026 will be glorious.