Pittsburgh Steelers "unlikely" to trade up in the 2016 NFL Draft, leaving option to move back open

Monday afternoon Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert met with media to discuss the team's needs/wants heading into the Pittsburgh Steelers 2016 NFL Draft. This was the first time Colbert and Tomlin both spoke publicly since the NFL owner's meetings in Florida. The two don't address the public together often, but when they do you know the Draft is right around the corner.

There were many questions asked, and answers were given which were vague and extended to avoid revealing too much information leading up to the big day Thursday night. After all, the team could ill afford to release which position they covet with the 25th overall draft pick, but Colbert was very open about one aspect of trade day which doesn't get as much publicity due to how rare it is -- draft day trades.

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said trading up in first round would be "unlikely" but trading back still on the table.

— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) April 25, 2016

The team has traded up before, most notably in 2003 to acquire Troy Polamalu, but also to acquire Santonio Holmes in 2006. They haven't traded up in the first round of the draft since 2006, and Colbert made it clear trading up wasn't going to be an option in 2016. The word he chose was "unlikely", but as he mentioned, the fact the team doesn't have many overall draft picks, trading up would take away nearly a quarter of their overall draft picks -- making the trade up scenario almost an impossibility.

Now, despite the talk about not being able to trade up, Colbert did mention trading back in the draft would be considered. After all, there are teams like the New England Patriots, who don't have a first round pick, as well as teams who select early in the first round, who might want to offer the Steelers more picks for their 25th overall pick. Colbert said this option is still a possibility, but will have to depend on the offer made from the other team.

With the NFL Draft coverage to start Thursday at 8:00 p.m. EDT, it is safe to say Steelers fans don't need to rush to their televisions concerned the team might be trading up to select a prospect.