Shedeur Sanders is one of the premier quarterback prospects in a weak NFL Draft class for the position, making him one of the most discussed prospects in this draft cycle.
However, he’s not a sure-fire prospect by any means, and most franchises have filled quarterback openings this offseason with stopgap veteran options.
That has fans and pundits asking if Sanders is willing to put his ego aside and sit behind an older quarterback early on in his NFL career.
Shedeur Sanders Discusses Willingness To Sit on Bench While Developing
Appearing on FanDuel TV’s “Up & Adams,” Sanders was asked about his pre-draft visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The signal caller had nothing but positive things to say about head coach Mike Tomlin and company, noting their six Lombardi trophies as a standout part of the visit. However, at the end of the interview, Adams asked Sanders for his opinion on potentially sitting behind a veteran quarterback to start his career to facilitate a move to a winning franchise like the Steelers.
“If that’s the way that things play out, then that’s the way things play out. I wouldn’t question what God has planned for me,” Sanders responded.
We just talked to Shedeur Sanders at the Pittsburgh airport…
Everything you need to know about his visit with the Steelers.@heykayadams | @shedeursanders pic.twitter.com/DiDp19o8oZ
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 10, 2025
It’s clear that Sanders isn’t thrilled with the idea of sitting on the bench to begin his NFL career — he was literally smiling through his answer as he meticulously picked out each word of his response — but it’s likely reassuring for teams to know that he’s at least open to the idea.
Sanders is coming off a dominant season, leading the Big 12 in completion rate (74.0%), passing yards (4,134), and passing touchdowns (37). He’d be a dynamic addition for any team looking for a franchise QB.
It’s hard to imagine him slipping down to No. 21, though perceptions of him have been changing recently. In PFSN’s most recent seven-round mock draft, Sanders is projected to fall all the way to the second round. Juxtapose that with another recent two-round mock draft where Sanders is slotted in at No. 9 to the New Orleans Saints, and you have many possible outcomes for the Colorado product on draft night.
In PFSN’s scouting report on the QB, the 23-year-old is commended for his toughness and accuracy from the pocket, as well as his ability to make plays on the fly. However, PFSN’s Jacob Infante does warn of his lackluster throwing velocity and tendency to hang onto the ball too long.
“Shedeur Sanders’ arm, though acceptable, isn’t particularly special. He’s not a statue in the pocket, but his athleticism is average. These issues can see him try too hard to extend plays that he simply can’t make, resulting in sacks or poor throws,” Infante explains.
“Compared to the quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, I would argue Shedeur Sanders would come in seventh as a prospect, ranking behind each of the six quarterbacks selected in the first round. This might make him more of a Day 2 talent, but the 2025 NFL Draft has a severe lack of high-end quarterback value.”
Ultimately, the best situation for Sanders may be to sit behind a veteran and learn for a season before getting handed the reins of a franchise. If the Steelers complete their expected signing of Aaron Rodgers, that could create the perfect circumstance for Sanders to develop with a respected coaching staff.