The Pittsburgh Steelers were seen as the prime landing spot for Shedeur Sanders as he fell out of the top 10 in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Colorado quarterback was still on the board when the Steelers were on the clock, but the team instead picked defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.
Former Steelers Star Ryan Clark Reacts to Passing on Shedeur Sanders
By the time the first round of the draft reached the Steelers, there was an expectation in the air that it was going to be Sanders.
While Derrick Harmon is a great football player and an even better person, the Steelers still don’t have a game plan at quarterback. The idea of Mason Rudolph starting the season has fans and ex-players of the franchise worried.
As the pick was announced, Ryan Clark couldn’t quite believe it:
“What the hell?… Mason Rudolph?! Mason Rudolph?!”
Pittsburgh Steelers Legend Ryan Clark was disappointed when they didn’t pick Shedeur Sanders 👀
“Mason Rudolph ! Mason Rudolph”
🎥 : @thepivot pic.twitter.com/VNW52vmKKW
— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) April 25, 2025
His response echoed that of many Steelers fans in that moment, and something isn’t quite adding up with Pittsburgh’s plan for the offseason so far.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan made a splash earlier this year when he traded for a disgruntled DK Metcalf in Seattle. Pittsburgh sent their second-round pick, No. 52, in the deal, which now means they won’t pick again until the third round.
Khan then paid Metcalf a five-year, $150 million contract. They’ve spent draft picks and a lot of money on a star wide receiver, who currently doesn’t have a starting quarterback to throw him the football.
Aaron Rodgers Talks, Sanders Falls — What’s Next for Steelers?
The Steelers had a quiet visit with Aaron Rodgers, which later came to light on “The Pat McAfee Show.” The veteran quarterback said he would play for $10 million, so maybe Pittsburgh has that in the back of their minds during the draft.
Rodgers was in Los Angeles training with Metcalf, and the two already have a great working relationship.
Mike Tomlin was clear that the Rodgers situation wouldn’t impact their draft strategy at all. Yet they passed on Sanders, even though they knew they didn’t have a second-round pick.
That could mean one of several things: Either the Steelers are confident Sanders will still be there in Round 3, they didn’t love the prospect enough to prioritize him, or it’s a little of both. But there must be a plan. Steelers fans refuse to believe the team will start the 2025 season trusting Mason Rudolph as QB1.
The other possibility is a potential trade involving George Pickens, which has gained momentum since the Metcalf move. Pickens will be a free agent after the 2025 season, so trading him now to get something in return would make sense.
On the flip side, Sanders, now slipping down the draft, is going to have to earn his spot wherever he lands. He’s not going to get the treatment of a first-round pick, and with each round that passes, his chances of starting in the NFL dwindle.