The Pittsburgh Steelers made headlines this offseason—but not always for the reasons fans expected.
From bold front office moves to surprising draft decisions, Omar Khan and company faced intense scrutiny. One of the most talked-about moments came during the 2025 NFL Draft, when the Steelers passed on former Colorado State quarterback Shedeur Sanders—not once, but multiple times.
At the time, it left fans stunned and critics loud. But after watching Sanders' rough preseason unfold in Cleveland, it’s clear the Steelers may have dodged a major distraction.
Let’s rewind.
Heading into the draft, Pittsburgh had an obvious need at quarterback. Justin Fields and Russell Wilson’s departure left a vacancy, and the Steelers needed a solution.
Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, was seen by many as a high-upside gem in an uncertain quarterback class. So when Pittsburgh opted to pass, eyebrows were raised.
Outside of Pittsburgh, people called it a misstep.
The Cleveland Browns certainly thought so—they swooped in and drafted Sanders, believing they had stolen a future franchise quarterback right out of the Steelers’ hands. But as the dust has settled and the preseason wrapped up, it’s clear the Steelers were playing chess while others were playing checkers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers look great for passing on Shedeur Sanders after a rough preseason with the Cleveland Browns
Sanders’ preseason finale was nothing short of a nightmare. He was sacked five times and managed just 14 total passing yards. Social media lit up with questions about his readiness, and Cleveland’s coaching staff—especially Kevin Stefanski—faced immediate criticism.
Some even accused Stefanski of “sabotaging” Sanders’ development, a wild accusation that speaks to the drama brewing around the young quarterback.
Meanwhile in Pittsburgh, the vibe couldn’t be more different.
The Steelers have quietly built a strong foundation, one with minimal distractions and maximum focus. Rodgers is offering veteran guidance, Mason Rudolph has looked more confident than ever, and rookie Will Howard is showing signs he could be a contributor in the near future.
There’s no quarterback controversy, no off-field noise—just competition, development, and cohesion.
This is exactly the environment Khan envisioned, even if fans didn’t see it at first. The offseason moves were bold, the draft choices unconventional, but now the plan is starting to make sense. By passing on Sanders, the Steelers avoided the media circus currently unfolding in Cleveland.
Instead of becoming a storyline, they’re preparing for a season with clarity and control.
For Khan and the front office, that’s a major win. In an era where distractions can derail a team before Week 1 even kicks off, the Steelers are staying on course.
And as for Sanders? Pittsburgh wishes him the best—but they’re more than happy watching from afar.
Sometimes, the best moves are the ones you don’t make.