Steelers' Potential Plans To Draft Shedeur Sanders Take Crushing Turn

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a bit of a question mark remaining at the quarterback spot. In fact, it’s a massive question mark that has dominated headlines throughout the 2025 offseason. This has been the sad reality for the Steelers ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired, as the team continues its frustrating search for a true franchise quarterback. While Pittsburgh appears to be inching toward a deal with 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, the waiting game has grown tiresome, and it’s still unclear whether Rodgers will ultimately be under center for Week 1.

Whether Rodgers ends up in Pittsburgh or not, the Steelers need to start prioritizing the future of the quarterback position. Even in what many consider a weak draft class for QBs, the front office is doing its homework on the 2025 prospects. Shedeur Sanders has emerged as the hot name in recent months, and Jaxson Dart has also drawn interest. Both are expected to be long shots for Pittsburgh to land at pick No. 21, but if one of them falls, it could be the opportunity of a lifetime for a franchise desperate to turn the page.

Unfortunately for Steelers fans dreaming of drafting Sanders, NFL insider Ian Rapoport delivered crushing news on Friday. According to Rapoport, Sanders’ stock may be stabilizing or even rising again, with one team ahead of Pittsburgh possibly eyeing him as a potential franchise quarterback after news broke Friday. While his exact draft projection remains uncertain, the idea of him falling to 21 is quickly fading. For Pittsburgh, it’s another reminder that fixing the quarterback position won’t be easy.

"The Saints suddenly have a major QB question: Starter Derek Carr is now dealing with a shoulder injury that threatens his availability for this season, sources say," Rapoport said to his social media. "Carr is weighing options, including the possibility of surgery."

The New Orleans Saints currently hold the ninth overall pick, and Sanders is an attractive option for them. There was already a chance the Saints would consider drafting Sanders even with a healthy Derek Carr. But with Carr's status for the 2025 season now uncertain, the likelihood of New Orleans targeting a quarterback like Sanders, or even Dart, has increased.

While the Saints do have Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener on the roster, both are unproven, and it's unlikely the team feels confident moving forward with either as the long-term solution. That could push them to prioritize a quarterback early in the draft, and Sanders might be too tempting to pass up. 

Of course, it was never going to be easy for Sanders to fall all the way to the Steelers at pick 21, but this latest development certainly doesn’t help Pittsburgh’s chances. The jury is still out on how well Sanders’ game will translate to the NFL, but if he does slide, the value at 21 would be difficult to ignore. Remember, he was once viewed as a potential top-five pick.

Steelers Seriously Thinking Quarterback In 2025 NFL Draft

Even if Rodgers ultimately ends up in Pittsburgh, that doesn't mean the Steelers will shy away from drafting a quarterback. Rodgers would provide veteran leadership and immediate stability, but at 41 years old, he’s not a long-term solution. The front office still needs to keep one eye on the future, especially with a quarterback class that offers intriguing upside beyond just the top picks.

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