Former NFL general manager Doug Whaley believes the Pittsburgh Steelers have set themselves up for success this offseason.
Many have pegged the Pittsburgh Steelers offseason as a failure with only quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson signed for the 2025 season. But former NFL general manager Doug Whaley thinks quite the opposite.
Whaley believes the Steelers have actually set themselves up for success, despite being stuck waiting on free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers to make a decision on where he wants to play in 2025.
"To me, I do like what they're doing," Whaley said on Pittsburgh's 93.7 The Fan. "Obviously, it's not gonna be jet-setting as a great offseason because they're really getting hung up by Aaron Rodgers and his decision. But when you look at how this is setting up for their next decision, I think Omar Khan and the Pittsburgh Steelers are nailing this offseason."
Whaley is likely referring to the Steelers next decision as quarterback, and he doesn't mean Rodgers or whoever will be their starter in 2025.
Pittsburgh has been very strategic in free agency, with most of the team's signings not counting against the NFL compensatory draft pick formula.
The trade for wide receiver DK Metcalf won't count against the Steelers' comp picks, and neither will the signings of cornerback Darius Slay or safety Juan Thornhill , since both were released by their former teams.
Meanwhile, Khan let six free agents walk out the door that could create a serious draft haul in terms of 2026 compensatory picks. According to Over the Cap , the Steelers are estimated to be eligible to receive a third-round pick for left tackle Dan Moore Jr ., a fourth rounder for quarterback Justin Fields , a fifth or a sixth for running back Najee Harris , a sixth for guard James Daniels , a sixth for cornerback Donte Jackson and a seventh for linebacker Elandon Roberts.
The 2026 NFL Draft is in Pittsburgh and the quarterback class looks to be strong. With those extra picks, the Steelers will have the ammunition to move almost anywhere they want to land their next potential franchise quarterback.
That doesn't mean this offseason has been meaningless, though. The Steelers locked in their No. 1 wide receiver for many years to come while also landing several depth pieces that will only help their next quarterback be successful.
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