During the opening round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers experienced one of the most brutal “stolen” picks in draft history. General Manager Omar Khan was on the phone with USC wide receiver Makai Lemon at pick No. 21, ready to select him as the newest member of the franchise.
However, the Steelers’ front office was unaware that the Philadelphia Eagles had executed a last-second trade with the Dallas Cowboys to jump ahead and take the pick at No. 20.
According to Ian Rapoport, Lemon was so focused on his call with Pittsburgh that he couldn’t even answer the Eagles’ incoming call.
As a result, the Steelers were left stunned in their own stadium, watching their primary target slip away just seconds before they could submit their selection.
While disappointment lingered, determination took center stage as the draft moved into Night 2.
In an effort to recover from losing Lemon, the Steelers’ front office remained aggressive in their search for a dynamic pass-catcher.
Jordan Schultz reported on X that the Steelers traded up to pick No. 47 to select Germie Bernard, an Alabama wide receiver, and bolster their offensive weapons.
No. 47 pick is in: #Steelers have selected Alabama WR Germie Bernard, per sources. https://t.co/wWvaBfbT0c pic.twitter.com/VBrHNYAn3H
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 25, 2026
Bernard’s high-upside physical profile adds to the roster, highlighting Khan’s intention to provide the team with the vertical threat they had missed during the first-round turmoil.
This strategic trade-up on Friday night effectively served as a rebound, showcasing the organization’s unwillingness to leave the early rounds without a premier weapon for their offense.
The full impact of the Night 1 drama was later revealed through viral footage of the now-famous phone call between Khan and Lemon.
The clip shows Khan starting the conversation with a friendly greeting: “Makai, hey, it’s Omar with the Steelers. How are ya?”
The tone shifted abruptly when Lemon noticed another notification on his screen and asked his family, “Why is Philly calling me?”
His agent then informed him that the Eagles had traded picks 23, 114, and 137 to Dallas specifically to intercept him.
Despite being caught off guard by their cross-state rivals, the Steelers’ swift pivot to Bernard on Day 2 demonstrates a resilient front office ready to move beyond the viral sting of being “robbed” on the draft’s biggest stage.
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