While the Cleveland Browns decided they were a perfect spot for the Shedeur Sanders media circus, the quarterback-needy Pittsburgh Steelers decided that they are willing to do the Aaron Rodgers dance after skipping the talented Colorado passer multiple times in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Sanders was, at worst, a player who should have been picked in the late second round based on his talent alone. The fact that he fell to pick No. 144 overall shows that his off-field behavior, right or wrong, clearly influenced how NFL teams viewed him as a possible franchise quarterback.
According to Todd McShay, Sanders had a particularly bad meeting with Brian Daboll and the New York Giants, who traded up to select Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart in the first round. Not only was Sanders unprepared for Daboll's install package, but he reportedly went back and forth with Daboll when called out for it.
Any quarterback that reacts like that when told he doesn't have everything all figured out before he even made it to the pros is probably not going to last very long under Mike Tomlin. The Steelers got some grief for picking Derrick Harmon and Kaleb Johnson over Sanders, but this move appears to have been right.
Steelers dodges a bullet not picking Shedeur Sanders in NFL Draft
Sanders would be worth all of the media circus if he was a first-round talent with undeniable star power. Look no further than Cam Newton or any Manning son. However, Sanders will start his career as a backup, and he will be one of the most talked about players in the league.
The Browns have veteran Joe Flacco, former Steelers bust Kenny Pickett, and fellow 2025 draftee Dillon Gabriel all ahead of Sanders on the depth chart. The moment one of throws an ill-advised interception or struggles in a start, the calls for Shedeur to get on the field are going to intensify.
The Steelers seem uninterested in drama like that, especially if they are willing to stomach more than a boatload of it if they bring Rodgers in as their starting quarterbacl. Sanders has talent, but if he doesn't have the right mindset, it is all for naught.
Pittsburgh seems to have avoided picking up a grenade with the pin already pulled in Sanders. All that is left to do is seal the deal with Rodgers and wait for it to blow up in the Browns' faces, as things like these usually do.