The other day I did my first 2026 NFL Draft scenario, and in that scenario I run a simulation and am always offered trades. One of the trades in that scenario was from the Green Bay Packers. In the trade it had the Steelers give up their first round pick to Green Bay. In return, Pittsburgh would acquire an extra 2nd and 3rd Round pick in 2026, as well as a 2027 2nd Round pick.

In these articles I reject all trades, but if I’m being honest I would have considered taking that deal from the Packers.

On social media, on multiple platforms, I was given a lot of reasons why the trade offer would be ridiculous.

“There’s no way they need more picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. 12 is already too much!”

“The Steelers are a team who would never make a deal like this, they value their 1st Round picks too much.”

But I had a lot of readers saying there is no way the Steelers would surrender a 1st Round pick, not based on their overall value of the pick, but because the draft is being held in Pittsburgh. I understand that sentiment, but are we being serious?

Would the Steelers seriously put Public Relations (PR) ahead of a potential trade that could better the organization?

Are they more interested in being the host city for the draft, or bettering the team?

Let’s take a look at the previous trade, and truly analyze what something like that might mean. And, for the record, when we discussed this on the Steelers Preview podcast last Thursday I was reminded about the potential of inebriated Steelers fans rushing the stage in discontentment. But let’s take a look at the options the Steelers would have.

If the Steelers gave up pick No. 21, but received Green Bay’s 2nd, 3rd and 4th Round picks, it doesn’t necessarily mean they have to sit on those picks and take three additional players. In fact, there is a realistic opportunity the Steelers could package those deals and move back into the 1st Round. Moving to pick No. 29, the Kansas City Chiefs second of two 1st Round picks, could be an option. But all trades require a dance partner.

Let’s go down this rabbit hole and assume the Steelers couldn’t move back into the 1st Round. Now what?

Armed with two 2nd Round picks and four 3rd Round picks, it would provide Omar Khan with a beautiful opportunity to wheel-and-deal to get players and prospects who can help the Steelers win and continue to re-establish their culture for the future, or even acquire 2027 NFL Draft capital.

But would the Steelers pass on an opportunity to better the franchise? Or are they more worried about the PR slant of the city of Pittsburgh hosting the draft?

Sadly, I can’t honestly answer that question with a resounding “No”. There is something about Art Rooney II which I don’t completely trust, and feel as if he wants the team to make a splash for the home crowd…even if it means passing on a deal that could be better for the Steelers. To be honest, some are suggesting the Steelers are destined to trade up in Round 1, just to appease the masses during the draft.

To be clear, this isn’t about the proposed trade from the mock draft simulator. It is unlikely the Steelers would make that deal even if the draft wasn’t in Pittsburgh. This is about if the Steelers will be handling the draft based on the perception of those in attendance in Pittsburgh, or if they are handling the draft based on improving the roster for the future.

I hope I’m wrong, but I can’t help but feel as if the image of hosting the draft will trump the alternative of improving the roster and doing the best for the organization’s future.