Insider unearths actual explanation why Steelers did not draft Shedeur Sanders

The Steelers got here into the draft with a necessity at quarterback. Sure, they have been (and nonetheless are) in talks with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, however not anything has been signed or made up our minds on that entrance. Even if it have been, Rodgers is 41 years outdated and is 3 complete years got rid of from enjoying the elite degree of ball we’ve come to affiliate him with. Securing a most sensible passing prospect would nonetheless be a good move if Rodgers is at the roster as a result of it might give them a scholar to be told and increase at the back of him.

Pittsburgh did finally end up taking a quarterback within the draft, however that variety wouldn’t come till past due into Day 3, when Will Howard used to be decided on within the 6th around. Following the departures of one-year leases Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, Howard joins a gaggle that comprises former Steelers backup Mason Rudolph and previous Dolphins backup Skylar Thompson. Both have observed time as starters in harm substitute eventualities of their careers, and whilst Rudolph has fared higher in his alternatives, neither evokes a lot self belief heading into the 2025 season.

This begs the query: Why didn’t Pittsburgh take a swing on a quarterback previous? Or, in the event that they knew they have been going to attend to choose one, why, once they noticed Sanders free-falling around after around, did they now not take a flyer on his obtrusive doable?

I will unquestionably see the place they appreciated the price they have been getting for flexible Oregon defensive take on Derrick Harmon as a possible eventual substitute for Cameron Heyward or the hole-filling doable of third-round Iowa rusher Kaleb Johnson, who may just compete with Jaylen Warren for some critical carries. But as soon as the fourth around rolled round and Sanders, a projected first- or second-round pick out, used to be nonetheless round, how vital used to be it so as to add Jack Sawyer to mix in with a gaggle that already comprises T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig? Does Sawyer upload extra price to that team than Sanders would’ve to a place that best contained Rudolph on the time? The Steelers will wish to hope so.

Ultimately, Fowler tells us that the staff used to be “comfortable with (Sanders) as a distributing point guard type,” however they couldn’t all agree that he used to be “a slam dunk pick.” A knock on Sanders used to be certainly his reliance on monitors, fast passes, and checkdowns — best 23.7 p.c of his completions at Colorado have been on throws over 10 yards.

Regardless, his enjoying taste helped him to complete fourth within the nation in yards in keeping with sport whilst throwing 37 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Even with 3 additional video games on his time table, Howard didn’t encroach upon Sanders’ yardage or landing numbers. But the staff used to be unsure on whether or not Sanders used to be well worth the fourth-round flyer, and that led him to his new house in Cleveland.

The staff remains to be getting a quarterback who had a super crowning glory share (73.0) whilst throwing the ball a bit of extra downfield (9.5 yards in keeping with try) and having an outstanding touchdown-interception ratio. They’ll simply have to wish that Howard (and Sawyer) give a contribution sufficient to erase any doubt of the verdict they made.