After watching Russell Wilson and Justin Fields walk in free agency, the Steelers are left with only Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson in their QB room.
Sure, the Steelers have made some notable moves ahead of the 2025 NFL season, including their blockbuster trade for wide receiver DK Metcalf. However, after watching Fields agree to sign with the New York Jets on a two-year, $40 million deal, Pittsburgh still lacks answers at the game’s most important position.
The Steelers have been rumored as a suitor for Aaron Rodgers this offseason, though the veteran signal-caller is still dragging out his free agency. It’d be a shock if Pittsburgh doesn’t get him, but even then, the 41-year-old won’t solve their long-term quarterback problem.
Luckily for fans, the Steelers completed their scheduled meeting with projected first-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Considering what the former Colorado Buffalo had to say about the team, a potential partnership doesn’t seem too far-fetched anymore.
Shedeur Sanders Raves About Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Following Pre-Draft Meeting
Appearing on FanDuel TV’s “Up & Adams” following his visit with the Steelers, Sanders was asked by host Kay Adams what he remembered most from visiting Pittsburgh’s facility.
Naturally, Sanders commented on the team’s six Lombardi trophies, tied for the most in the NFL. He proceeded to discuss the biggest impressions he had during his visit with head coach Mike Tomlin and company.
“I understand the mindset and why they win a lot. How [Tomlin] is as a person, the values that the team has, and what he brings from the top down is a lot like my dad [Colorado head coach Deion Sanders],” the quarterback said.
In a separate interview on NFL Network’s “The Insiders,” Sanders compared Tomlin and his father, Deion, once again.
“I understand why they win so much and why Coach is the way how he is. He resembles Dad a little bit. They have the same principles,” Sanders said.
When asked by Adams how he felt the fit was with the team, Sanders gave the Steelers a 10/10. She also asked the quarterback if he thought slipping to a 10-win team like Pittsburgh was even possible, given that they have the 21st overall pick in the draft this year.
To that, Sanders gave a simple, confident response: “That’s on the other franchises, if they make that mistake and let me go there.”
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
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 all the way down to No. 21, though perceptions on 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.
Still, the positives vastly outweigh the negatives, and Sanders would immediately become the franchise’s quarterback of the future if the team finds a way to get him.
Even if it takes a trade up, the Steelers are beginning to look like a prominent suitor for Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft. A situation where he gets to spend a year on the bench while learning from Rodgers and Tomlin could give Pittsburgh the best of both worlds heading into next season.