The Pittsburgh Steelers need to figure out the quarterback position sooner rather than later. This is critical not only for the 2025 season, but for the future of the franchise. It is near impossible to compete in the NFL without a franchise player at the position, especially in the AFC. The Steelers are competing against the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow in the AFC, and the organization needs to find its own version of that. A large portion of the fan base is hoping it can do that during the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger stands with his hands on his hips during an away game in Kansas City during the 2021 playoffs.
The Steelers haven't had a franchise quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season, and the team immediately panicked and selected Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He didn't workout in Pittsburgh, and the failure of Pickett could have the franchise feeling a little tense when it comes to investing a premium pick in the quarterback position again so soon. Pittsburgh has the 21st overall pick in 2025, and there is a good chance that either Jaxson Dart or Shedeur Sanders will be available when the pick comes around.
Pittsburgh fans have been fairly excited about the idea of landing Sanders, and Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked about his pre-draft visit with the quarterback prospect during his press conference on Tuesday.
"I think the things that stood out were evident in his video," Tomlin said. "There's a toughness there that doesn't get talked about enough. There's a competitive spirit there that doesn't get talked about enough. I know he's very talented, he's made a lot of plays for his university and his team, but the intangibles and qualities displayed on tape were impressive to me."
Sanders is known for his competitiveness. He began his college career at Jackson State and he was able to turn that program around, and the same is true about Colorado. Colorado had one victory the season before Sanders arrived, and by the time he left, he had them ranked within the Top 25.
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Former Colorado Buffalos quarterback Shedeur Sanders prior to the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium.
There has been multiple reports that have come out of Pittsburgh after Sanders visited the facility and met with the coaching staff. Some reported that Tomlin loved the quarterback, while others said that the Steelers would not be drafting Sanders after the meeting went poorly. It is hard to truly know what is real, but Tomlin's words seemed to be genuine, and he seems to be a fan of the quarterback prospect.
The Steelers also met with Dart during the pre-draft process, and the organization could be happy taking either player if they are there at 21. Dart probably has a higher upside as a prospect, but it is hard to predict what will unfold on draft night. The Steelers might find themselves in a position where they will have to move up the board a little bit to be able to land Sanders or Dart, and it will be interesting to see if the organization pulls the trigger on that move.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Could Be Throwing A Curve Ball
During the pre-draft process, coaches don't often praise specific players in the way that Tomlin did on Tuesday. It is best for coaches and executives not to get to specific when speaking on prospects, as a way to not tip their picks or show their hand. This makes Tomlin's genuine comments about Sanders a bit confusing, and it could mean he was just trying to get people to think he is interested in Sanders. Pittsburgh could be leaning in a completely different direction, as the franchise does have some other roster holes that could be address in the first round.
Associated Press
Shedeur Sanders talks with his father Deion Sanders during a college game.
Pittsburgh is a complete mystery on Day 1, and it will be interesting to see what the organization does.
What do you think about Tomlin's comments on Sanders? Should the Steelers draft him? Let us know in the comments below!
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