As the 2025 NFL Draft inches closer, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been linked to Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the first round. Whether a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers signs with Pittsburgh, this franchise needs a long-term option, and their interest in Sanders is real after their recent pre-draft visit.
Since early in the pre-draft process, it seemed like a pipe dream that Sanders would weasel his way past a bunch of quarterback-needy teams and fall to pick 21, where the Steelers could snatch him up. Now, it appears there is only one team that could prevent this from happening.
It's no secret that the Tennessee Titans are prepared to turn the number-one overall pick in for Miami quarterback Cam Ward at this point, and the Cleveland Browns have their sights set on Colorado's Travis Hunter with the second pick in the NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Giants general manager Joe Schoen hinted that his team doesn't need to take a quarterback early because of the Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston signings.
This brings us to the only real threat to poach Shedeur Sanders before the Steelers are on the clock: the New Orleans Saints.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could draft Shedeur Sanders if he makes it past the New Orleans Saints
News broke over the weekend that Derek Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury that may even require surgery. With limited options, many assumed the Saints could be in the running for Sanders with the 9th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. On paper, this makes sense. However, NFL Draft expert Dane Brugler hinted that New Orleans doesn't appear interested in Sanders or the lackluster group of quarterbacks this year and could look elsewhere with their selection in Round 1.
This is great news for the Pittsburgh Steelers if, of course, landing Shedeur Sanders is the ultimate prize.
Between the Saints at pick 9 and the Steelers at pick 21, there are no quarterback-needy teams in between that would take a shot on Sanders. The Miami Dolphins wouldn't spend a first-round pick on an insurance policy to Tua Tagovailoa (who has a concerning history of concussions), and Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard values size and athletic traits too much to make a move like this (see Anthony Richardson).
This means that Shedeur could free-fall in the NFL Draft as long as he makes it past the New Orleans Saints. Unless a team like the Browns or Giants is willing to jump back up from the early second-round to leapfrog Pittsburgh, the Steelers could have a shot to draft Sanders at pick 21. And if Cleveland or New York liked Shedeur enough to do this, they would just take him with their first pick.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have the worst quarterback situation in the NFL if Aaron Rodgers doesn't sign, and drafting a player like Shedeur Sanders would give them a chance to compete in the present while also preparing for the future. The only team standing in the way of making this a reality is the New Orleans Saints.