Steelers' Odds To Draft Shedeur Sanders Just Took A Wild Turn

The Pittsburgh Steelers, when the 2025 NFL Draft big board first came out and mock drafts started flying around, appeared to have no realistic path to drafting a top-tier quarterback at pick 21. The upcoming class has been widely considered relatively weak at the quarterback position, lacking the depth and surefire talent seen in previous years. However, that hasn’t deterred Steelers GM Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who have reportedly been doing their homework. In fact, Khan recently stated that he actually believes this quarterback class is better than people think, signaling that the Steelers might be more aggressive than anticipated.

With the draft set to kick off on Thursday, all eyes are on what the Steelers will do and whether a high-profile name like Shedeur Sanders might still be on the board when Pittsburgh is on the clock. Once viewed as an unlikely destination for Sanders, the conversation has shifted dramatically over the past week. The Steelers’ front office has maintained a level of secrecy about their draft intentions, but their increasing presence at quarterback Pro Days and private meetings with top prospects has fueled speculation that Pittsburgh could be planning a surprise move up the board—or hoping Sanders falls right into their lap.

On Tuesday, that speculation turned into shock as the betting odds for the team most likely to draft Sanders flipped dramatically. The Steelers are now listed as the favorites to land the Colorado quarterback, with odds at +190. In betting terms, that implies roughly a 34.5% chance that Pittsburgh selects Sanders— higher than any other team. Just a few weeks ago, the Steelers weren’t even in the top five. Whether it's smoke or something real, the market believes the Sanders-to-Pittsburgh buzz is more than just hype.

Sanders is one of the most fascinating prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Early projections had him in the mix as a potential No. 1 overall pick or, at the very least, a lock to go inside the top ten. 

However, as the pre-draft process unfolded, Sanders' stock began to slide. Whether it’s due to concerns about his play-style, his father’s influence, or teams simply falling in love with other prospects, the reasons behind his drop are up for debate. What isn’t up for debate, though, is how much the Steelers seem to like him.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Is A Huge Fan Of Drafting Shedeur Sanders

It's been widely reported that Tomlin is a huge fan of Sanders. Some league insiders have gone as far as to suggest that Tomlin would actively push for the Steelers to take Sanders if he's available at pick 21. Of course, that’s a big if—there’s still a chance a team ahead of Pittsburgh could take a shot on him before the Steelers even have the chance. But if Sanders does fall, it would be a stunning development, and based on everything being said behind the scenes, Pittsburgh appears ready and willing to take a swing.

While many view this year’s quarterback class as underwhelming, the Steelers clearly don’t share that sentiment. Khan and Tomlin have made it known they see value in this group, and with no long-term answer at quarterback currently on the roster, they know the time to strike could be now. Taking Sanders would be a bold move, but it might just be the kind of gamble that lands them their next franchise quarterback. 

Betting odds aren’t always a crystal-clear indicator of what’s to come, but the old saying 'the house always wins' exists for a reason. When the numbers shift, it usually means something is happening behind the scenes. In this case, Vegas clearly sees something brewing with the Steelers and Sanders. With the draft rapidly approaching, the odds swinging in Pittsburgh’s favor is a strong signal that there’s real buzz connecting the two.

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