In a surprising turn of events during this year’s NFL Draft, former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders saw his stock tumble all the way to the early fifth round, leaving many fans and analysts scratching their heads. One of the most notable teams that passed on Sanders, despite his impressive track record of performing well under pressure, was the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers had multiple opportunities to select the talented signal caller, with picks at No. 20, No. 83, and No. 123, but ultimately chose to go in a different direction. Now, the team finds itself in a precarious position without a defined starting quarterback; the options include Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and sixth-round pick Will Howard, who won a national championship with Ohio State.
In a recent discussion on “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” NFL insider Albert Breer shed light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics at play. It turns out that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was indeed high on Shedeur Sanders. However, one significant factor may have held him back: the lingering aftereffects of Russell Wilson’s tenure with the team. Although Wilson had already signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants by the time the draft rolled around, his past performance evidently cast a long shadow over Pittsburgh’s quarterback evaluation.
Breer revealed that there was substantial support within the organization to explore alternative quarterback options, notably Justin Fields. Yet, Tomlin’s insistence on sticking with Wilson through a rough close to the previous season seemed to temper the urgency around drafting another young signal caller. “Tomlin liked Shedeur going into the draft, but I don’t think he wanted to press that button again at quarterback after what happened with Russell at the end of the year,” Breer explained.
Now, as Sanders joins the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers find themselves in a waiting game concerning Aaron Rodgers, who could emerge as a strong candidate to lead the franchise moving forward, even as he approaches his age-42 season. The delicate interplay of politics, player evaluation, and past missteps continues to shape the landscape for Pittsburgh. The Steelers are undoubtedly looking to find the right fit and redefine their future at the quarterback position. For now, fans are left to wonder how this all might have played out differently, had the team’s decision-making gone in another direction.
