The Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to pass on Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft continues to spark reactions across the league — and not just from fans. Former Cleveland Browns cornerback Hanford Dixon is the latest to weigh in, and he didn’t mince words about what he thinks Pittsburgh may have just signed up for.
The two-time All-Pro made his stance clear during a recent episode of “The Hanford Dixon Show,” where he warned the Steelers they may have made a significant mistake by not selecting the Colorado quarterback.
Browns Legend Predicts Pittsburgh Steelers Will Regret Passing on Shedeur Sanders: ‘They’re Gonna Pay’
Instead of Sanders, Pittsburgh drafted Ohio State’s Will Howard to compete with Mason Rudolph in the quarterback room — possibly for the QB2 spot behind Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers also added EDGE rusher Jack Sawyer from Ohio State. Both picks were well-received by Pittsburgh’s brass and much of the fan base — but not everyone is sold that the Steelers walked away with the better QB.
“They’re gonna pay,” Dixon said flatly. “I guarantee you, Shedeur Sanders is going to make them pay every time we play them. Twice a year, he’s going to make them pay.”
Dixon’s words carried the weight of a long-time Browns legend who knows the rivalry well. As one of the original architects of the “Dawg Pound” defense in the 1980s, Dixon understands what’s at stake when it comes to Steelers-Browns matchups. In his eyes, Pittsburgh didn’t just pass on talent — they handed future motivation to a division rival.
But Dixon’s cohost, Gabriella Cruz, offered a counterpoint that’s been echoed by Steelers supporters: “But the caveat is, they got the two Ohio State guys — [quarterback] Will Howard and [EDGE] Jack Sawyer. So are they gonna make us pay?”
Dixon acknowledged the value of the Steelers’ picks but doubled down on his belief in Sanders. “They got two good players,” he said. “I’m just glad the Steelers didn’t take Shedeur Sanders. I think Shedeur Sanders is a better player than Will Howard.”
That comparison will likely follow both quarterbacks for years, especially if Sanders succeeds early in Cleveland. With the Browns taking him in the second round, the hype around Deion Sanders’ son landing in the AFC North is real — and it’s growing. If Sanders lives up to his potential, those Steelers-Browns matchups could turn into high-stakes quarterback duels for the foreseeable future.
For now, the Steelers are putting their chips on Howard, a strong-armed and mobile passer who drew Ben Roethlisberger comparisons from some draft analysts. But if Dixon is right, Pittsburgh may have handed their biggest rival a franchise quarterback, fueling the next chapter of the NFL’s nastiest rivalry.
The first test comes this fall, when Sanders and the Browns face off against the team that said “no thanks.” Twice.