The Pittsburgh Steelers might have stepped into a sticky situation during the first round of the NFL Draft. What seemed like a simple heads-up call to wide receiver Makai Lemon could now trigger a league investigation, as the NFL reviews all draft-related conduct after the event.
Here's the play-by-play: On Thursday night, the Steelers contacted Lemon to let him know they planned to pick him. But the Philadelphia Eagles swooped in with a trade, snatching Lemon right before Pittsburgh could submit his name to Commissioner Roger Goodell. The Steelers ended up selecting Arizona State offensive lineman Max Iheanachor instead.
The next day, former Eagles executive Jake Rosenberg flagged the issue on X, pointing to a league rule that prohibits teams not on the clock from contacting draft prospects if it interferes with the team currently selecting. The rule states that discussions are allowed only if they "do not interfere with discussions between a player and the club that is 'on the clock.'"
ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio reached out to the NFL, and the league confirmed it "reviews all aspects of the Draft the week after its conclusion." That means the Steelers' early contact could be under scrutiny. However, Florio noted the league might view it as an "innocent mistake" rather than an intentional manipulation attempt. "It seemed to be an innocent mistake, and the Eagles likely would have picked Lemon in that spot even if they couldn't have made the perfunctory phone call before doing so," Florio said.
The drama didn't stop there for Pittsburgh. They followed up the Iheanachor pick with a flurry of notable selections in the second and third rounds: Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, and Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette. Meanwhile, the Eagles added Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers in the second round and Miami offensive tackle Markel Bell in the third.
This isn't the only controversy surrounding the Steelers' draft. Some fans have already voiced strong opinions about the team's moves. After the Drew Allar pick, Steelers fans chanted "Retire, Aaron!", showing their frustration with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. And not everyone is sold on the team's direction; our own analysis suggests the Steelers should cut Rodgers loose and draft their future now.
The Eagles, meanwhile, are riding high after landing Lemon. But the Steelers' potential misstep could cast a shadow over an otherwise successful draft. As the NFL reviews the incident, Pittsburgh fans will be watching closely to see if their team faces any penalties for jumping the gun.
For now, it's a waiting game. The league's review could result in a fine, a warning, or nothing at all. But one thing's for sure: that "harmless bit of trivia" has turned into a serious talking point in the Steel City.
