Steelers' Gripping Debate Was 'Close Enough' When It Came To Selecting Shedeur Sanders Or Not

The Pittsburgh Steelers contributed to the biggest story of the 2025 NFL Draft, which was the slide of quarterback Shedeur Sanders. There were points during the 2024 season and the 2025 offseason where it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Sanders would be the second quarterback off of the board, and that he would most likely be picked in the Top 10. That didn't happen on the first night of the draft, which began a series of long days for the young quarterback. Pittsburgh needed a quarterback going into the draft, and the connection with Sanders was spoken about often throughout the event.

Pittsburgh held the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it was thought that a quarterback was a possibility at that spot. If Pittsburgh was going to do that it was either going to be Sanders or Jaxson Dart, but the organization opted to pick defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. This is probably where the slide for Sanders began, and it didn't end until the 144th pick when he was selected by the Cleveland Browns. 

ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler spoke about the draft and some behind-the-scenes information on different organizations, and he revealed Pittsburgh's true thoughts on Sanders.

"The Steelers were comfortable with Shedeur Sanders as a distributing point guard type, which makes it a mild surprise they didn't take him with their fourth-round pick." Fowler wrote. "To borrow another basketball analogy, those inside the Steelers' building did not reach a consensus on Sanders as a slam dunk pick. But the debate was close enough to justify taking him."

It could be argued that Pittsburgh was the most quarterback-needy team going into the draft, which made them passing on Sanders three times a bit of a surprise. The first round pass was understandable as it quickly became clear the league was not as high on Sanders as the media, but passing on him again in the third and fourth rounds raised some eyebrows.

Fowler believes the organization was somewhat split on Sanders, but some important decision makers had him labeled as a "slam dunk". Fowler indicated that the debate was close enough for the organization to consider drafting him, but the franchise never went through with it.

The pass Fowler brings up was the one in the fourth round of the event when Pittsburgh drafted Jack Sawyer over Sanders. Pittsburgh never thought Sawyer would be available at that point, which is why the organization had to take him when given the opportunity. Had Sawyer been drafted elsewhere before the Steelers fourth round pick came around, maybe Sanders would be in Pittsburgh.

Sanders now will suit up for the Cleveland Browns, but there is no guarantee that he will see the field. The Browns also drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round of the draft, after already having both Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco in Cleveland. It will be a competitive group in Cleveland, and it will be an interesting one to keep an eye on.

Steelers Still Found Their Quarterback In 2025 NFL Draft

Although Pittsburgh passed on Sanders numerous times, the organization was still able to select a quarterback that it was very interested in. Pittsburgh drafted Will Howard in the sixth round of the draft, and he is going to come in to Pittsburgh to compete for the backup role. The quarterback situation for the Steelers is a bit odd, as Mason Rudolph is currently penciled in as the starter while the organization continues to wait on Aaron Rodgers. 

Howard is a late-round selection with low expectations, but the quarterback is coming to an odd situation which can lead to him seeing the field early on in his career. The Steelers loved the quarterback, and knowing they could still get Howard probably made the franchise feel comfortable passing on Sanders repeatedly.