What Was It That Omar Khan Said That Stood Out To Me?
Over the past 48 hours, various reports and quotes have surfaced from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan, either via reporters on the ground or interviews posted on the team’s official channel. However, as I’ve become increasingly interested in the draft compensation strategy since I last wrote about it, the quote below makes me think there could be an alternative plan for these picks—one that doesn’t involve trading up in the 2026 draft for their franchise quarterback.
Now, let it be known that I still believe that remains the most likely outcome, but in the NFL, nothing is ever certain—not for something happening tomorrow, let alone 13 months from now.
Just finished talking with #Steelers GM Omar Khan.
He said he expects to add two QBs to mix between now and the start of the season, mentioning FA, draft and trade as avenues.
He also talked about trading to re-acquire a 2nd-rd pick and amassing comp picks in 2026.
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) March 31, 2025
Now, looking at this tweet from Alan Saunders of Steelers Now, the line I find most interesting is the bottom one. I believe there’s a chance those two statements aren’t separate and could be interrelated. Most of us know by now that the Steelers have an extra 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th round pick for 2026 due to the compensatory pick formula. While these picks can’t be traded, they could certainly act as insurance if the Steelers decide to move their own 3rd or 4th round pick during this draft.
I bring this up because it’s clear the Steelers want to get back into the second round, as indicated in this tweet. The main strategy fans have been running in simulations is trading back into the back end of the first round or early second while picking up an extra late second-rounder or early third. The problem with this approach is that, in a class like this, there aren’t many prospects at pick 21 that teams will be willing to trade up for, which could make this method of recouping a 2nd rounder difficult.
This could leave the Steelers with no real opportunity to trade back, so instead, they might use their own 2026 draft capital to move back into this year’s second round while still keeping all those compensatory picks as backup. If they had to move next year’s 2nd and 4th to get back a 2025 second, it wouldn’t be ideal, but there’s a real chance they could end up with two extra 3rd-round picks and a 4th—or even three 3rd-round picks—if Russell Wilson and Justin Fields hit their incentives.
As I’ve alluded to, this theory is a bit of a long shot and may not even be beneficial, but it’s something worth considering heading into this year’s draft. Due to the massive amount of draft capital they possess in 2026, the Steelers are in a position of flexibility over the next 13 months—something Steelers fans aren’t used to. So, expect the unexpected during this period.
Don’t count those comp picks until they’re actually awarded. A lot can happen that could leave them with very little comp pick payoff. This is a gamble that they have little control over.
Roll them bones, Omar. He tends to choose his words carefully, so I don’t see it as a longshot at all. This rebuild is looking more competent as the weeks go by
Thanks for the article. Interesting thoughts.
I might be wrong, but I believe that they changed the rules and comp picks are trade-able.
Also, I don’t know I agree that there are no prospects at 21 someone would be willing to trade for in this draft. I don’t think that can be determined until the draft plays out. If a team overdrafts a prospect, resulting in another highly valuable target being available unexpectedly, that could trigger a team into wanting to move. Or, if a specific player just drops for no known reason, that could also set off some trade talking. Now-enough to give up a two? I don’t know there is that much value (chart-wise) in any pick in the last half of the first round. So- in that sense I agree with you. But that’s because of the pick position of any draft, not the talent in this one specifically.
Now, I’m not a proponent of trading back. 2’s are values for sure. But I doubt the history of hits and misses at 21 would be unfavorable when stacked against any 2nd round slot. 1sts are 1sts for a reason. And I like having the extra year of control with the 1st round option.
But I agree with you that it seems Omar really wants his second back. It will be interesting.