Ike Taylor, a former defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, with a 12-year tenure and two Super Bowl victories with the team, recently expressed his views on the potential of Pittsburgh as a suitable host for the NFL draft in either 2026 or 2027. He passionately presented his case on the Bleav in Steelers podcast, and his arguments seemed quite compelling. This discussion emerged following the news that the Steelers had submitted a bid to host the upcoming draft.
“Why not come where the tradition’s at?” Taylor posited. “Why not come to the South Side and catch the tour on the second floor, and see [those] six Lombardi trophies sitting up on [those] glass cases?”
“Why not come and see the city?” Taylor continued “You’ve got the [Steelers’ home turf, the] Acrisure Stadium on your left, you’ve got the Pittsburgh Pirates’ stadium on your right? Why not come in the city… the weather be just right. Why not come to the city where you know the Mean Joe Greens, the Terry Bradshaws, the Lynn Swanns, the Troy Polamalus, the IT’s? Why not come into the city of Pittsburgh for that draft? It’s going to be a good experience. Hopefully the NFL [checks it off], but why not, man?”
