The 2026 NFL Draft may be over, but the Pittsburgh Steelers clearly weren’t finished building their roster.
Just hours after the draft concluded, Pittsburgh moved quickly to secure one of the most intriguing undrafted quarterbacks still available — a player many expected to be selected.
According to reports, the Steelers signed former Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King as an undrafted free agent. And this wasn’t a typical UDFA move.
The deal reportedly includes $250,000 guaranteed, a strong signal that Pittsburgh sees real upside in the former ACC standout.
The Steelers had closely evaluated King throughout the pre-draft process, identifying traits that fit their offensive vision moving forward.
That quarterback is Haynes King — and his résumé explains why Pittsburgh acted quickly.
After transferring from Texas A&M to Georgia Tech, King revitalized his career and became one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in college football.
His 2025 season showcased his full potential.
He threw for 2,951 yards, 14 touchdowns, and just six interceptions while completing nearly 70 percent of his passes.
On the ground, he added 953 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, leading the ACC and helping Georgia Tech to a 9–3 record.
Those performances earned him both ACC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Across his time at Georgia Tech, King totaled 7,907 passing yards, 55 touchdowns through the air, and 36 more on the ground.
His mobility, toughness, and ability to extend plays make him a unique weapon at the quarterback position.
For Pittsburgh, this move is about more than just depth.
With a competitive quarterback room already in place, King enters as a developmental option with intriguing upside.
His dual-threat ability could give the Steelers flexibility to explore creative offensive packages.
At the same time, he’ll compete in training camp, looking to prove he deserves a spot on the roster.
King already seems fully committed to the opportunity ahead.
“I’m not coming to Pittsburgh just to stand on the sideline,” he reportedly shared. “I’m coming to compete, earn respect, and give everything I’ve got.”
That mindset is already resonating with fans.
For now, he enters as an underdog.
But in the NFL, some of the most compelling stories begin exactly this way.