New York Giants v Pittsburgh Steelers | Joe Sargent/GettyImages

The Pittsburgh Steelers parted ways with both of their 2024 quarterbacks in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields during the offseason, but they indirectly benefit from their moves in the 2026 NFL Draft due to a massive haul of draft picks coming their way.

Both Wilson and Fields will make a go of it in New York, with the former trying to save Brian Daboll’s job with the Giants and the latter trying to prove he can be a viable starter with the Jets. The Steelers appear to be fully in on the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes after failing to land both of these quarterbacks.

Not only did the Steelers miss out on both quarterbacks, but much-heralded offensive lineman Dan Moore also bolted to join the Tennessee Titans in free agency. The Steelers will be a weaker offense in 2025 if they don’t land Rodgers, but the long-term outlook is still fairly rosy.

The Steelers are projected by Over The Cap to earn a ridiculous six compensatory picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, which could help them either flip tons of solid draft picks elsewhere to acquire veterans or bring in a parade of youngsters.

Steelers could turn Russell Wilson and Justin Fields into six compensatory picks

Pittsburgh has been a bit more bombastic in the offseason than they usually are, choosing to send some major draft capital to the Seattle Seahawks for DK Metcalf and doing the whole Rodgers dance. 2026, however, might be a bit more tame and a return to their philosophy of building through the Draft.

Not only would the Steelers be in line for six compensatory picks if Over The Cap’s math checks out, but no other team in the league would be projected for more than three. This can give the Steelers a very unique advantage when it comes to building the back end of their roster.

Even with the draft in the books, the Steelers’ quarterback room remains unsettled, the wide receiver collection is lacking in depth, and they could use more pass rushers as TJ Watt gets a little long in the tooth. With six extra draft picks, those goals become much more reasonable and attainable.

Losing both Wilson and Fields at the same time is a brutal way to start the offseason, but if the Steelers are able to parlay those compensatory picks into players that can help them in the immediate future, look for Pittsburgh to maintain the same standard of winning they have in past years.