The Pittsburgh Steelers have made it clear they still haven’t found their answer at the quarterback position. As free agency rolls along, it’s becoming increasingly evident that Pittsburgh’s solution won’t be coming from the open market. Instead, the Steelers are turning their attention to the 2025 NFL Draft.
If the Steelers are serious about finding their next franchise quarterback, they’ll likely need to make a move on draft night. And all signs point toward a trade with the New York Jets as their best chance to land the guy they want — Shedeur Sanders.
Sanders entered the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the most hyped quarterback prospects, but his stock has taken a hit due to reported struggles during interviews. But let’s not kid ourselves. The talent is real. Sanders led the nation in completion percentage last season, completing 74% of his passes while throwing for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions. His arm talent is undeniable, with the ability to make every throw and process defenses at a high level. The fact that his draft stock is dropping over off-field rumors could turn out to be Pittsburgh’s gain.
Here’s where the Jets come into the picture. After signing Justin Fields, New York no longer has a need for a quarterback early in the draft. Instead, they could be looking to fill other roster gaps or stockpile picks to keep building under head coach Aaron Glenn. A trade scenario where Pittsburgh swaps first-round picks with the Jets while throwing in additional draft capital sounds like a win-win.
The Steelers are already taking steps to build an offense around their future quarterback. Trading for DK Metcalf shows that Pittsburgh is serious about adding high-quality weapons. And Metcalf himself appears to be on board, recently saying, “They made me feel like they had the right decision with who was going to be throwing me the football.”
For Metcalf, a reliable, big-bodied receiver who thrives in contested catch situations, pairing him with a young quarterback like Sanders makes perfect sense. It’s a duo that could cause headaches for defenses for years to come. And under Mike Tomlin’s guidance, Sanders would have the opportunity to develop in a stable environment that emphasizes hard work and discipline.
Sanders may not have the same high ceiling as some other prospects, but his ability to efficiently read defenses and make smart decisions would provide much-needed stability for the Steelers. Pittsburgh has been stuck in a seemingly endless cycle of quarterback inconsistency. Drafting Sanders could finally put an end to that.
If Pittsburgh can pull off this move, it could be the beginning of a new era. One where the Steelers have their guy under center for the long haul.
