“The NFL Draft isn’t just about picks—it’s about poker faces and panic rooms,” quipped ESPN’s Adam Schefter, slicing through the league’s annual chess match like a George Kittle stiff-arm. But in Pittsburgh, the stakes are higher than a Ben Roethlisberger fourth-quarter comeback. The Steelers, armed with the No. 21 pick and a $31.4M cap war chest, are flirting with a rare move: trading back. And Mike Tomlin—the man who once said, “The standard is the standard”—might just be eyeing an escape hatch for a franchise he’s helmed for 18 seasons.

Let’s cut through the fog: Tomlin’s Steelers are at a Succession-level inflection point. Fresh off a 10-7 season that ended with four straight losses (including a playoff faceplant vs. Baltimore), Pittsburgh’s front office is shuffling draft picks like a Blackjack dealer on Red Bull. They haven’t won a playoff game since 2016, and Tomlin’s “Don’t blink” mantra is starting to sound like a plea to his own front office yet they’re sitting on deeper draft capital than most realize:

Round 1 – No. 21, Round 3 – No. 83, Round 4 – No. 123, Round 5 – No. 156, Round 6 – No. 185 (via Seattle through Chicago), Round 7 – No. 229 (via Atlanta through Philadelphia), With Philadelphia, Buffalo, and Kansas City all itching to trade up, the No. 21 pick is hotter than a Patrick Mahomes no-look pass.

But why trade back? Simple: the roster has more holes than the Dundler Mifflin budget. The O-line coughed up 38 first downs via penalties last year, and George Pickens’ diva antics make Antonio Brown look like Mister Rogers. Trading down could net them extra picks to rebuild. The reality is, Mike Tomlin’s playoff drought (no wins since 2016) and roster gaps put his legacy on shakier ground than a rookie’s first preseason snap.

The Steelers can’t keep burning premium picks on limited patchwork fixes rather than accumulating firepower. For a coach who’s never endured a losing season, getting the maximum bang from each selection isn’t just smart—it’s essential for preserving his legacy.

Tomlin Draft day déjà vu—Why trading back is the new black

In draft parlance, trading back means swapping your current slot for a later pick (or additional picks), banking capital to address multiple needs. Teams do it to:

1. Accumulate more picks when they believe depth runs deep.

2. Leverage class depth, confident quality waits in the 20s and 30s.

3. Gain strategic flexibility for mid‑draft maneuvers or package deals.

Recent examples include the 2025 Rams (who flipped down to stash extra Day 2 assets) and the Lions at No. 28, eyeing more picks after prior trades.

Several contenders are primed to pounce on Pittsburgh’s pick:

Philadelphia Eagles (Pick 32)
With eight early picks but a porous run defense (154.1 yds/game allowed) and a secondary in need of reinforcements, Philly covets interior D‑linemen and high‑IQ linebackers. GM Howie Roseman could swap up from 32 to clinch a top‑tier DT—think Walter Nolen—to fortify against power backs like Derrick Henry. Extra Day 2 ammo would also let them snag slot CB help and reinforce their pass rush behind Haason Reddick, or the infamous AJ Brown trade rumour?

Buffalo Bills (Pick 30)
Holding 10 selections but lacking a third‑rounder, Buffalo still wants more beef up front. Their run defense ranked 19th last year, and cornerback depth dipped late in the season. A move from 30 into the low 20s could net a game‑wrecker DT (e.g. DT Bednarik types) or a press‑man cornerback to complement Taron Johnson. Those extra mid‑round picks can then fill O‑line gaps or secure a special‑teams weapon.

Kansas City Chiefs (Pick 31)
Even after reupping Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs need better blindside protection. Their O‑line allowed critical pressures in Super Bowl LIX, and Andy Reid loves movable parts. Climbing from 31 could land a plug‑and‑play OT like Aireontae Ersery, then still leave room for luxury Day 3 gambles—tight ends or backup QBs. Extra late‑round picks might bankroll a depth backup who can pull a Cam Newton cameo if needed.

The NFL Draft is a symphony of tumblers clicking, panic‑room calls, and Twitter tip‑offs. For Mike Tomlin, trading back could be the lynchpin to rejigger depth and silence doubters—or the signal of a franchise seeking a new conductor. The Steelers drafted four Hall of Famers in 1974; in 2025, their legacy hinges on whether they convert one pick into multiple building blocks—or watch contenders like Philly, Buffalo, and KC snap them up. Tick‑tock, Coach T. The board’s shifting every minute.