Steelers linked with NFL Draft trade, make call about moving up
There’s been plenty of talk about the 2026 quarterback group being thin, but the activity around draft night seems to be telling a different story. Several teams outside the top 20, including the Steelers, Jets and Cardinals, have reportedly been weighing up moves into the first round with quarterbacks in mind.
It doesn’t necessarily mean teams are sold on this class, more that they’re trying to get ahead of each other in what could be a late run on quarterbacks. That kind of movement usually doesn’t happen if teams genuinely think the talent isn’t there.
Why Ty Simpson is driving movement and Carson Beck is changing the calculus
Publicly, Ty Simpson has been discussed as a player who might sneak into the first round. But around the league, the view seems to be shifting. Adam Schefter reported that teams are starting to expect Simpson will go in the first round, with those picking in the 20s not confident he’ll still be available when they’re on the clock.
Carson Beck, meanwhile, is gaining support as a solid backup option. Teams like his readiness for a pro-style system and see him as someone who could fit into an established offense without needing much time to get up to speed.
The urgency builds from there. With one quarterback climbing boards and another seen as a safe fallback, teams in need are more likely to make a move rather than risk missing out. That’s when you start seeing trade-ups happen.
Why teams are eager to secure a Quarterback in the first round
This isn’t just about picking up a quarterback. It’s about landing one in the first round specifically. That’s because first-round selections come with a fifth-year option, giving teams an extra year of control before needing to make any long-term decisions.
Take the Steelers or Jets, for example. If they see Simpson as someone with starting potential, waiting until Day 2 could mean losing that valuable flexibility. Even if a second-round pick develops into a starter, they’d still need an extension a year sooner than a first-rounder on the same path. That extra time is worth enough to justify moving up, which is why teams are prepared to spend draft capital to get into the late first round.
Quarterback trade-ups usually backfire but teams are still chasing them in 2026
It’s no secret that most first-round quarterbacks don’t end up as franchise cornerstones, and the odds are even worse when teams trade up to get them. Front offices know the history, but it hasn’t stopped the interest this year.
This isn’t just about front office desperation. The pattern here suggests a genuine belief within the league that Simpson and Beck offer real value, even if they’re not top-tier talents.
We’re seeing something different this time. That’s what stands out here: teams aren’t backing away, they’re moving in closer.
Team needs, not prospect quality, are driving the market
Looking at this year’s quarterback class through a strict talent lens misses what’s really going on. The Steelers still need a long-term fix under centre. The Jets haven’t found any consistency, and the Cardinals are keeping their options open as they look to rebuild. Those problems don’t go away just because the class is considered thin—teams have to adapt to their situations.
That can mean going after certain quarterbacks earlier than expected or making a move before another team does. It also means using a first-round pick to get an extra year of contract control, even if that player might have been seen as a second-rounder in deeper years.
The storyline leading up to the draft has been about teams waiting for value because of concerns over talent. But everything happening behind the scenes — from trade discussions to teams manoeuvring around picks 20–32 — shows that teams aren’t waiting around. They see enough in this group of quarterbacks to make aggressive moves, and that approach is starting to shape how the first round unfolds.
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