Let’s just be honest—Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin got all of us.
Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, it was no secret that the Steelers had a glaring need at quarterback. With the league moving faster than ever and no heir apparent in the wings, Pittsburgh fans were certain a big-name gunslinger would be donning black and gold this fall.
So when news broke that Aaron Rodgers had met with the team in March, the conversation immediately shifted. Maybe we’d get the legend to steady the ship. Maybe that would buy us time.
It was the perfect distraction.
Then came Tomlin’s now-infamous pre-draft praise of Shedeur Sanders. “He’s very talented… but the intangible qualities displayed on tape were impressive to me,” Tomlin said. On the surface, it sounded like draft-speak. But the tone? The timing? It fanned the flames of speculation like wildfire.
READ MORE: Steelers put perfect ending on wild NFL Draft QB saga
Suddenly, Rodgers-to-Pittsburgh and Shedeur-to-Pittsburgh were both front-page theories. That’s how Tomlin wanted it.
When the first round came and went without a quarterback, fans were stunned but not yet discouraged. The Steelers drafted Derrick Harmon from Oregon. It was a rock-solid pick, but not the quarterback savior fans had anticipated.
Mike Tomlin's smokescrees helped the Pittsburgh Steelers make the steal of the 2025 NFL Draft
Day two offered more bait. With names like Sanders and Jalen Milroe still on the board, Omar Khan opted for Kaleb Johnson at pick No. 83. It was a savvy move, but it pushed the QB question further into the shadows.
Meanwhile, Shedeur continued to slide.
Tomlin’s early compliments kept Pittsburgh tethered to Sanders in the media and fan psyche despite zero action. The Browns finally took him at No. 144. By then, the Steelers had already built a sneaky-good draft class with picks like Jack Sawyer and Yahya Black bolstering the defense.
And then, at pick No. 185, it happened: Will Howard from Ohio State—big arm, pro frame, and just a short drive from Acrisure Stadium.
You don’t just stumble into a quarterback like Howard in the sixth round. You eye him. You plan for him. You smoke out the competition by hyping flashier names and throwing reporters just enough bait to nibble on.
This was vintage Mike Tomlin: cryptic, calculated, and in control. He let the league think Pittsburgh was either going big or nowhere—and in the process, he quietly secured their future quarterback.
Sometimes, the loudest moves are the ones never spoken out loud.