The Pittsburgh Steelers made headlines in Round One, not for their selection of Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor, but their attempt to land USC WR Makai Lemon instead. The team was on the phone with Lemon when the Philadelphia Eagles traded with the Dallas Cowboys from No. 23 to No. 20 to steal him away instead. Per Cowboys writer Nick Harris, the Steelers sure aren’t happy about it.
“Pittsburgh is pissed. Multiple sources have told me this morning,” Harris said via the Haymaker Twitter/X account.
Earlier today, head coach Mike McCarthy attempted to downplay the development and express his excitement over the team landing Iheanachor. To be sure, the Steelers seem genuine in that feeling. Moments before the pick came in Thursday night, Bill Cowher predicted Iheanachor would be the selection before anyone knew about the team’s interest in Lemon. He based that off Khan and the Steelers’ building raving about Iheanachor that afternoon.
As Harris explained, the Steelers anticipated the Cowboys taking a defender at No. 20. Dallas has been in the market for defensive help all offseason and even engaged in trade talks for Pittsburgh ILB Patrick Queen last month. Harris says, either through sourcing or speculation, that Pittsburgh and Dallas talked before the Cowboys made their pick.
Once Pittsburgh knew it was for defense, they felt comfortable calling Lemon to tell him he was about to become a Steeler. But the Eagles got wind of that plan and made the move up first.
It may not have been a panic, but a pivot Pittsburgh didn’t expect. Lemon was one of the top receivers in the class, and having him fall into the team’s laps would’ve been great value.
“Pittsburgh is pissed about this,” Harris said. “They feel like Dallas duped them. Especially with the draft being in Pittsburgh. They felt embarrassed on the national stage.”
A record crowd of 320,000 attended night one of the draft. The city of Pittsburgh put on a great show. But the Steelers will be remembered for this saga that overshadows their ultimate selection. If Lemon goes on to have a great career, the team will be reminded of yesterday every step of the way.