Steelers Hear Shedeur Sanders Warning NFL Teams Not To Make A Big Mistake

The Pittsburgh Steelers are doing their homework on quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, despite warnings that this class is considered weak at that spot. The team is closely monitoring the situation surrounding Aaron Rodgers, awaiting a decision to see if the 41-year-old quarterback will choose to come to the Steel City for the 2025 season. Whether Rodgers ultimately signs with Pittsburgh or not, the Steelers know they must plan for the future of their quarterback position.

Rodgers, at 41 years old, won't be in Pittsburgh for long, and it's clear that the Steelers can't rely solely on him for long-term stability. If he does join the team, it will likely only be for a year or two. That makes it all the more important for Pittsburgh to start thinking about their quarterback future, which is why many experts believe the Steelers will select a quarterback in the upcoming draft. However, the specific round they target one in remains uncertain, as the value of the draft board will play a big role in their decision.

One player who could potentially be on their radar is polarizing top QB prospect Shedeur Sanders. The standout quarterback visited the Steelers on Wednesday, and while at Pittsburgh International Airport, he spoke with Kay Adams on her show Up & Adams. Sanders reflected on how he helped turn around the Colorado Buffaloes program and sent a warning to NFL teams: don’t make the mistake of letting him fall into the Steelers' lap.

"That’s on the people," Sanders said. "That’s on the other franchises who make that mistake and let me go there [Pittsburgh]."

Sanders was asked about his success in turning around two college programs, and Adams questioned whether it would be unfair for him to land on a 10-win team like the Steelers, considering his track record of revitalizing franchises. Sanders responded that the decision isn't up to him, but he did caution NFL teams not to let him slide, warning that a team like Pittsburgh, which is more ready to compete, could be the perfect fit for him.

While Sanders' ability to turn around college programs is undeniable, the jury is still out on how his game will translate to the NFL. A recent criticism has been his tendency to pat the football before deciding where to throw it, which could lead to inefficiencies at the next level. Yes, Sanders did take two struggling college programs and significantly improve them, but that’s not as impressive when you consider the unique advantages he had. 

As the son of Head Coach Deion Sanders, his recruiting process was far easier than most, with the ability to attract top-tier transfers. While the Buffaloes showed improvement under his leadership, they never truly reached elite status, and the turnaround, while notable, was more about elevating the program from bad to above-average rather than building a championship contender.

Steelers Could Luck Out And Land Shedeur Sanders At 21

While the NFL will undoubtedly present a different challenge, Sanders shares the same unwavering confidence as his father. It will be fascinating to see how the 2025 NFL Draft plays out. Sanders is currently the second-best quarterback prospect, and there’s much debate about where he’ll land. Initially, he was expected to be a top pick, but now it appears he could slide down the board. Some pundits even believe he could fall all the way to No. 21, when the Steelers are on the clock.

If Sanders does fall to the Steelers and they can draft him without sacrificing any assets in a trade, it would be an ideal scenario, securing immense value for a potential franchise quarterback. While the success rate for first-round quarterbacks is less than 50%, the Steelers know that if they don’t keep trying, they’ll be stuck in the same quarterback situation year after year. Eager to find their long-term solution under center, they’ll be ready to take a swing in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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