Steelers Insider Reveals Pittsburgh Would’ve Picked Will Howard Over Shedeur Sanders If Both Were There in 6th Round

Before last week’s NFL draft, it was pinpointed by many that the Pittsburgh Steelers needed a quarterback.

It could still be argued they still do – and maybe a dalliance with Aaron Rodgers will potentially be consummated. But Pittsburgh entered the league’s yearly selection process with two quarterbacks on its roster: Mason Rudolph, a failed starter previously with Pittsburgh, and veteran backup Skyler Thompson.

Why Didn’t the Steelers Want To Draft Shedeur Sanders? Insider Gives His Take

The Steelers did end up taking a QB, but not until the sixth round when they nabbed Ohio State signal-caller Will Howard with the 185th overall selection. Pittsburgh was thought to be a potential destination for Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, but he was selected a round earlier than Howard.

However, the Steelers did have several chances to draft Sanders previously. Even if he slipped another round, he still wouldn’t have gone to Pittsburgh, according to one Steelers insider.

Speaking on a local sports radio station, longtime Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer Ray Fittipaldo said if Sanders was still on the board in the sixth round, the Steelers would have eschewed him in favor of Howard.

.@rayfitt1 says on @937theFan that if Will Howard and Shedeur Sanders had both been available in the 6th round. The Steelers STILL would have picked Will Howard. Wow.

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress)

The decision doesn’t come down to pure numbers: Sanders led the NCAA in completion percentage (74.0%) and the Big 12 in completions (353), passing touchdowns (37, also second in the nation), and passing yards (4,134).

Of course, Howard, who spent his first four seasons at Kansas State before leading the Buckeyes to the national title, wasn’t shabby either. He led the Big Ten in completion percentage (73.0%), passing yards (35), and passing touchdowns (35).

A close call. But there are the intangibles.

In a chat on Tuesday, Fittipaldo offered a further reason. When asked, “Do you agree with the Sawyer over Sanders decision?” — referring to Ohio State edge rusher Jack Sawyer, who was selected by Pittsburgh in the fourth round — Fittipaldo answered, “One fits the Steelers culture and the other does not. Easy decision.”

Fittipaldo was also asked his opinion on why Sanders dropped to the fifth round, which is where Cleveland traded up to get him.

“He’s an average QB who isn’t going to walk in and become a starter. NFL teams don’t want players with his personality if he’s going to be a backup,” Fittipaldo explained. “Backups keep their head down and grind as they try to make their way. Sanders should embrace that and change his image. It might be his only way forward in the NFL.”

Fittipaldo also thinks the Browns’ selecting Sanders came from above, as in owner Jimmy Haslam, as the team previously traded up to draft quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round and has veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett on the roster.

As noted above, the Steelers quarterback situation is dire (unless Howard can really show something in camp). At least Sanders would have been an interesting story in Pittsburgh, but we’ll never find out how that would have played out – nor does it seem like there’s a chance it could have even happened.