Adam Schefter's Recent Comments Explain Why Steelers Hoarding 2026 Draft Picks Could Be Detrimental Mistake
The Pittsburgh Steelers made the decision to not participate in any significant deals prior to the NFL's trade deadline on Tuesday. Fans can be certain that General Manager Omar Khan was on the phones with the hopes of improving the roster, but nothing ended up coming to fruition. Acquiring players such as Rashid Shaheed or Jakobi Meyers apparently wasn't within the draft capital budget, despite neither individual being dealt for a third-round pick or better. It's evident that the front office in the Steel City has plans to use over 10 selections in 2026 to revamp the roster yet again.
Meyers seemed like a very attainable target, as the Jacksonville Jaguars were able to acquire him for a fourth- and sixth-round pick. This was too steep for Khan and co., leading to some disappointment amongst the fan base. It's easy to assume that the Steelers have some intention to take a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, and having so many selections will provide the opportunity to trade up in the first round.
There could be a slight issue with this approach, however. During a trade deadline appearance on The Adam Schefter Podcast, ESPN insider Adam Schefter focused on just how aggressive the New York Jets were when it came to selling assets. It definitely should get the rest of the league's attention.
"It sends a message to the rest of the NFL that the New York Jets are on the prowl for a quarterback," Schefter said. "They're starting over. These guys are going to have the ability now to bring in their guys and re-make the roster. Now, we've seen a lot of this with the Jets before. They started over with Mark Sanchez. They started over with Sam Darnold. They started over with Zach Wilson. They're going to start it over again with another quarterback."
Pittsburgh was never going to be the only team hunting a quarterback in 2026, but it's what Schefter brought up next that should resonate in the Steelers' building. Refusing to get aggressive at the deadline seems to have been a very stubborn way of going about things, especially with a 41-year-old quarterback in Aaron Rodgers that has no time to waste in his quest for a second Super Bowl ring. Not making a splash could end up being regretted as the draft inches closer.
"The draft class of '27 is supposed to be outstanding in terms of quarterbacks so if the Jets don't get one this year, and there's a lot of mixed opinions about the quarterback draft class in '26, then '27 is waiting."
Quarterback evaluations are rather tough when a player is transitioning from college to the NFL, but it's clear that analysts and insiders alike are already getting the idea that the 2026 group is not expected to be anything too special. The last thing the Steelers need to do is reach for another signal-caller in the first round, particularly if the front office feels the need to trade up.
Hindsight is 20/20 and no one really knows just yet how this will play out in the Steel City, but regardless, the roster could have used an addition at either the defensive line, wide receiver or cornerback positions. Specifically when it comes to a pass-catcher, the capital that was given up for Shaheed and Meyers was too much, which hints that the Steelers view their projected draft selections as way too valuable. If a quarterback is the main goal, the trade deadline approach could backfire.
Steelers Better Hope They Land A Franchise Quarterback In 2026 NFL Draft
Pittsburgh has always been an organization that appreciates the opportunity to draft and then develop players. That has changed somewhat in the Khan era, which is why it was expected that some kind of significant trade would have been agreed to on, or before, Tuesday. Now, the pressure will be on to make some kind of aggressive move when the draft rolls around. Unfortunately, the Steelers may be a year too early, and capital could be much more important in 2027.
Kevin O’Connell Says Vikings Made Calls Before Quiet Trade Deadline
After a few rocky weeks with veteran quarterback Carson Wentz under center, the Minnesota Vikings may have turned the corner this past week with second-year gunslinger J.J. McCarthy returning to the gridiron. The Vikings were able to pull off an impressive win over the division rival Detroit Lions on the road at Ford Field, with McCarthy putting on a show with three total touchdowns.
With McCarthy breathing new life into the Vikings by leading the team to a much-needed win over the Lions to get back to .500 with a record of 4-4, Minnesota could be a frisky team in the NFC moving forward, which prompted questions about whether the team should make some moves ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 4.
Vikings Were Active Ahead of the NFL Trade Deadline
GettyMinnesota Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
With Wentz out for the season and McCarthy having played only a handful of games in his career so far, the obvious need is at the quarterback position to get some insurance behind their new face of the franchise, who has dealt with numerous injuries in his short time with the team.
Although the need is there, it doesn’t seem like the Vikings were too intent on making a move ahead of the NFL trade deadline, even though the team’s general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, was making a lot of calls, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell, who said the following to KFAN’s Paul Allen on Tuesday.
“I would say the Whoppers are more on the whiteboard right now with the coaching staff plays more so than me being involved directly right now with any of that stuff,” O’Connell said. “But I know there’s a lot of calls going on. Kwesi and the staff do a great job with that and we’ll see where the day goes.”
Adofo-Mensah is known for making trades ahead of the deadline, as he has done every year since taking the job as general manager in Minnesota, via Purple FTW! Podcast’s X account.
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has made at least one move at the NFL Trade Deadline every year he’s been in power.
2022: TE TJ Hockenson, Lions 2023: QB Josh Dobbs, Cardinals 2023: LG Ezra Cleveland to Jaguars 2024: OT Cam Robinson, Jaguars
What will Kwesi cook up this year?
However, for whatever reason, the Vikings brass decided to stand pat and ride out the rest of the season as currently constructed, which could be the right move or might end up coming back to haunt them, especially at the quarterback position, with Max Brosmer sitting behind McCarthy on the depth chart.
Is J.J. McCarthy the Real Deal for the Vikings?
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings.
Over the course of three games played during the 2025 NFL season thus far, McCarthy has shown flashes of brilliance, which is why the Vikings brought him in, but he’s also had some rough moments, showing that he’s still a very young player who needs a lot of polish to reach his true potential.
However, he possesses some admirable qualities that teams seek in their starting quarterback, such as leadership and a no-quit mentality, which is a promising sign that McCarthy can become what the team envisions.
It’s too early to tell if McCarthy truly is the real deal under center in Minnesota. Still, the potential is there, and he’ll have his work cut out for him moving forward, with some tough matchups left on the schedule against the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers (twice), Seattle Seahawks and Lions.
