Steelers’ Compensatory Pick Hopes Take Another Hit as Justin Fields Lands on IR
The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent much of 2025 playing the long game - not just on the field, but in the front office, too. One of their key offseason strategies was to maximize compensatory draft picks heading into 2026. But with quarterback Justin Fields now officially out for the season, that plan just took another significant blow.
According to reports, the New York Jets have placed Fields on season-ending injured reserve. The 26-year-old signed a two-year, $40 million contract this past offseason to be the Jets’ starter, a move that initially looked like it would benefit Pittsburgh in the compensatory formula. But things didn’t go as planned - for Fields, or for the Steelers.
Fields struggled early and often in New York, with the Jets stumbling to a 2-7 start. He was benched twice during that stretch, and his inconsistent play had already cast doubt on whether his departure from Pittsburgh would net the team a compensatory pick. Now, with his season officially over, that door has all but closed.
For the Steelers, it’s the latest in a string of setbacks on the compensatory front. Running back Najee Harris, who signed with the Chargers, suffered an eye injury before the season even kicked off. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson - now with the Giants - has also been benched, further clouding Pittsburgh’s potential draft-day return.
This isn’t just about missing out on mid-to-late-round selections. The Steelers had clearly built their offseason strategy around the idea of turning outgoing free agents into valuable draft capital. With several of those deals now looking less impactful on the compensatory ledger, the team may be facing a lighter haul than originally anticipated.
Still, Pittsburgh has more pressing matters to focus on. The team is in the thick of the playoff race and eyeing a chance to snap an eight-year postseason win drought.
That’s the immediate goal. But come April, the ripple effects of this season’s injuries and benchings will be felt in the war room - especially when it comes time to make selections without the cushion of those extra picks.
For now, the Steelers will keep their eyes on the postseason prize. But behind the scenes, they’ll also be recalibrating their draft strategy, knowing the compensatory boost they were counting on may not be coming after all.