As soon as the 2025 NFL schedule dropped, the spotlight immediately found its way to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Not just because of the brutal stretch of games ahead. The real fireworks came from ESPN’s own Stephen A. Smith, who once again proved there’s no fan more passionate, and no critic more relentless, when it comes to his beloved Steelers.
But this time, it wasn’t the gauntlet of tough opponents that had Stephen A. fired up.
It wasn’t the primetime games, the road tests, or even the relentless AFC North clashes. It was something that happened weeks earlier during the NFL Draft. Something he—and many fans—just can’t let go.
“How do you not draft Shedeur Sanders?” Stephen A. asked during a recent ESPN segment, clearly exasperated. “There needs to be an investigation. How do you *not* draft a quarterback, knowing how debilitated you’ve been at that position for years?”
Now, let’s be fair: Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan didn’t ignore the position entirely. They selected Ohio State’s Will Howard—a solid, smart quarterback with a decent ceiling. But in Stephen A.’s eyes, that wasn’t enough.
Not when Shedeur Sanders, a high-profile prospect and the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, was still available.
Shedeur, who played at Colorado, fell shockingly to the fifth round. He was scooped by none other than the Cleveland Browns. That, in itself, adds a painful twist to this storyline. It’s one thing to pass on a potential franchise quarterback.
It’s another thing to let him land in the hands of your division rivals.
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Smith didn’t hold back, recalling how Tomlin and Khan were seen discussing Sanders before the draft. “What were you talking about him for?” he asked.
If you knew the need and saw the potential, why not take the shot?
Honestly, I understand the frustration. The quarterback position in Pittsburgh has been a revolving door since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Kenny Pickett didn’t pan out, Mitch Trubisky was a temporary solution, and Mason Rudolph, while gritty and experienced, hasn’t shown the ceiling of a true long-term starter.
Still, I’m not ready to throw in the towel. I believe Will Howard has potential, and if anyone can develop a young QB, it’s Mike Tomlin. Stephen A. is right to question the decision-making, especially in a draft class full of promise.
I’d rather see how things unfold before making any final judgments.
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The 2025 schedule is no joke. It’s loaded with top-tier matchups, including early-season tests and divisional showdowns. But it’s also a chance for redemption. A chance for someone like Howard, or even Rudolph, to rise to the moment.
So yes, I hear Stephen A.’s frustration. I even share some of it. But I also have faith. Ultimately, that’s what being a Steelers fan is all about.
Now it’s time to see who steps up.