It's no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers need a quarterback. If presented as a fresh take, that's the type of sentiment that would get you laughed off your own virtual stage. It'd be such a bad take, on its own, that fans would truly wonder if you were somehow born yesterday.
Yes, the Steelers have no solution at quarterback. Yes, they're awaiting a decision on Aaron Rodgers while trying to figure out just how to approach the 2025 NFL Draft.
And, yes, Shedeur Sanders has been a hot name connected to the Steelers in Round 1. Sanders would be an ideal pick for Pittsburgh, no doubt. He likely wouldn't fall to pick 21, though, and they'd have to trade up to get him.
If they did, Steelers fans would feel a whole lot better going into the season with Sanders and Mason Rudolph than they would just Rudolph and some late-round rookie or, God forbid, a free agent veteran like Jeff Driskel or Desmond Ridder.
The Steelers' most important draft decision comes outside Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft
I'll say it again: the Steelers' most important draft decision isn't in Round 1. Sure, Sanders in Round 1 would be phenomenal. But, there's also a possibility of grabbing Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss. This might sound like hyperbole, but the Steelers should feel confident in their quest to get a quarterback in Round 1, one way or another.
Because Pittsburgh has some other glaring needs and no second-round pick, the most crucial moment in the draft will come in Round 3 where the Steelers' second pick comes at no. 83 overall.
The Steelers have a dire need at running back. Jaylen Warren truthers, be kind. Warren is a fantastic player, but not someone who can consistently handle 20-plus touches. This team needs another starting-caliber running back to allow each of them to get 10-14 touches each.
It's not Kenneth Gainwell, either.
The defensive line needs another player. Wide receiver is still a question mark, even after trading for DK Metcalf. This fan base is no stranger to the notion that George Pickens may not last here for the long haul. What happens when he's gone via trade or free agency?
And even then, the Steelers could still use a cornerback. Darius Slay isn't going to be a long-term answer.
The truth is, Pittsburgh has multiple key holes to fill and only two picks in the top 120. That no. 83 selection has to hit. It has to. Pittsburgh has no other choice. This pick has to be a home run.
There should be more pressure placed on this third-round pick than their first rounder because, again, the Steelers will very likely come away with a quarterback on Day 1. There are multiple avenues to get that accomplished.
Come Day 2, though, the pressure is officially on.