NFL provides new footage of Steelers’ Makai Lemon draft blunder

TL;DR

The NFL released new footage highlighting the Pittsburgh Steelers' draft blunder involving Makai Lemon, linked to the Cowboys-Eagles trade. The clip shows the Steelers' missed opportunity to draft Lemon, who was picked before them, but they ultimately selected Max Iheanachor instead.

Key points

NFL released footage of Steelers' draft blunder involving Makai Lemon
The blunder was linked to the Cowboys-Eagles trade
Steelers selected Max Iheanachor with the No. 21 pick instead

Pittsburgh SteelersDallas CowboysPhiladelphia EaglesMakai Lemon

The NFL provided a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most embarrassing draft moments in Pittsburgh Steelers history — the Makai Lemon blunder that was only made possible thanks to the Dallas Cowboys-Philadelphia Eagles trade.

As seen on the new documentary produced by Skydance Sports and NFL Films, The Pick Is In, new footage of the Cowboys-Eagles trade for Pick No. 20 included Steelers general manager Omar Khan's draft-night phone call with Makai Lemon, and it was just as embarrassing this time around.

In the clip that's been making waves on social media, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is seen asking Dallas' war room who the "best candidates" may be to move up to Pick No. 20 when someone throws the Eagles' name out. After some negotiating, the Eagles and Cowboys completed the trade, and the clip ended with a new look at the Steelers losing out on Lemon.

Luckily for the Steelers, offensive tackle Max Iheanachor was still available and was selected with the No. 21 overall pick in the draft. But the new footage is still a haunting reminder of what could have been on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

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Q&A

What was the Makai Lemon draft blunder involving the Steelers?

The Makai Lemon draft blunder refers to the Steelers missing the chance to draft him due to a trade between the Cowboys and Eagles that allowed the Eagles to select Lemon before the Steelers' pick.

How did the Cowboys-Eagles trade affect the Steelers' draft strategy?

The Cowboys-Eagles trade allowed the Eagles to move up and select Makai Lemon at Pick No. 20, forcing the Steelers to pick Max Iheanachor at No. 21 instead.

What does the new footage reveal about the Steelers' draft night decisions?

The new footage shows Steelers GM Omar Khan's phone call with Makai Lemon, highlighting the embarrassment of losing out on him due to the trade between the Cowboys and Eagles.