As Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off, I can’t help but feel like the Pittsburgh Steelers are telling us more than we realize. Their decisions through the first three rounds—passing on multiple quarterback prospects and focusing instead on the trenches—point to one underlying message: they still believe in Mason Rudolph. Or at the very least, they think he deserves a real shot.
This isn’t the most popular move among Steelers Nation right now. Fans want fireworks. They wanted Shedeur Sanders at No. 21. Even Jalen Milroe at No. 83 would have been nice to see.
Instead, Pittsburgh stayed true to its identity, selecting Derrick Harmon, a forceful defensive tackle from Oregon, and Kaleb Johnson, a smooth, powerful running back from Iowa. Those two picks scream one thing: physicality. It’s the kind of football Pittsburgh has always prided itself on.
It felt like a quiet reminder—this team isn’t going to chase the flashy route.
Still, there’s an elephant in the room. The Steelers haven’t addressed their quarterback situation yet, and with six picks left, that clock is ticking. Mason Rudolph remains the only surefire option on the roster.
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No one’s saying he’s the long-term answer, but I think it’s clear the team sees him as a stabilizing presence for now.
The Pittsburgh Steelers declare short-term loyalty to Mason Rudolph with NFL Draft decisions
And honestly? That’s not the worst thing. Rudolph isn’t going to carry a team by himself, but he won’t derail it either. He’s steady. He’s smart. And perhaps most importantly, he’s willing to lean on the talent around him.
That’s where this could get interesting. Shedeur Sanders, who many thought might go in the first round, is still on the board heading into Round 4. His draft slide might seem like a fall from grace, but in truth, it might be the perfect situation.
At pick No. 123, Sanders is not a savior. He is a prospect. A quarterback who could grow behind Rudolph and, if we’re lucky, under the mentorship of Aaron Rodgers—if he commits to Pittsburgh.
To me, that’s a winning formula. Let Rudolph steer the ship, let Sanders learn quietly, and let Rodgers finish his career helping build the next chapter. That’s the kind of story Steelers fans could get behind.