The 2025 NFL Draft was expected to be a turning point for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who entered the offseason with a big hole at quarterback. After a rollercoaster 10-7 season that ended in a swift playoff exit and saw the QB room cleared of its main pieces, all eyes turned to what head coach Mike Tomlin would do to address the most important position on the roster.
The buzz was strong around Shedeur Sanders, the polarizing Colorado quarterback and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders. Sanders had the tools—arm strength, mobility, production—and the swagger that made him one of the most talked-about prospects in the draft. The Steelers had done their homework, even with Tomlin himself publicly praising Sanders in the lead-up.
“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,” Tomlin said. “The intangible qualities displayed on tape were impressive to me.”
That sure sounded like a coach sold on a QB. But when it came time to make the pick, Tomlin passed. Instead of taking a gamble on Sanders, the Steelers opted for Will Howard, the Kansas State and Ohio State transfer who is steady, experienced, and drama-free.
A Safe Bet Over Star Power
Howard is hardly a no-name—he’s a big-bodied quarterback with a strong arm and solid college experience. But he doesn’t have the flash or headline-making potential of Sanders. The choice clearly showed the Steelers weren’t interested in a media circus or the kind of attention that might follow a player with Sanders’ name and brand.
While fans might have hoped for a bold, franchise-altering move, the Steelers instead chose control over chaos and consistency over charisma. That’s been Tomlin’s MO for most of his coaching career. But five years post-Ben Roethlisberger, this approach feels like a team still spinning its wheels at quarterback.
The Message in the Miss
By not taking Sanders, Pittsburgh didn’t just skip a player—they sent a message. They weren’t ready to sign up for everything that comes with him: the celebrity father, the social media branding, the questions about maturity, and the perception—fair or not—of arrogance.
The fallout from Sanders’ draft slide shows how much off-field impressions can hurt even the most talented prospects. He fell all the way to Round 5, shocking many draft watchers. Rumors swirled that he bombed interviews, arrived late, gave off a dismissive vibe, and rubbed decision-makers the wrong way. The infamous “watch flex” moment—seen by some as confident, others as cocky—may have been the final nail.
For a coach like Tomlin, whose focus has always been on discipline, character, and a team-first mentality, those concerns likely outweighed the on-field talent. In that context, Howard was the clean pick.
Fan Reactions Are Mixed
The Steelers’ fanbase is split. Some support Tomlin’s decision, saying it shows maturity and a long-term plan. Others feel like Pittsburgh missed an opportunity to bring in a true difference-maker—someone who could have made the offense dynamic and given fans something to get excited about.
A recent fan poll mirrored that divide:
- 35% – “Yes, stability is key for the Steelers.”
- 30% – “No, Sanders’ talent was worth the risk.”
- 25% – “Maybe, but only time will tell.”
- 10% – “I don’t care as long as we win.”
Another poll asked whether the Steelers should have taken a gamble on Sanders:
- 41% – “Yes, his talent outweighs the drama.”
- 27% – “No, character matters more than talent.”
- 18% – “Only if he showed more maturity.”
- 14% – “It’s a missed opportunity for excitement.”
Clearly, fans are intrigued by what Sanders could have been in black and gold.
The Broader Fallout
Sanders’ draft slide has raised larger questions across the league:
- Did his lack of an agent hurt him?
- Did family ties, especially his association with Coach Prime, work against him?
- Was there a racial element to how he was perceived and criticized?
- Was it simply a case of misreading the draft room?
Some believe that not having an agent left Sanders without proper draft-day guidance. Others think his family leaned too much into his brand, assuming his on-field talent would outweigh any off-field issues.
Shedeur’s brother, Shilo Sanders, also entered the league under a cloud. He ultimately landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but only after his agent reached out directly. Even then, reports say Bucs GM Jason Licht wasn’t initially interested, suggesting that the Sanders family name wasn’t the golden ticket they expected it to be.
What’s Next for Pittsburgh?
The Steelers now move forward with Will Howard leading a QB room that still lacks a clear-cut franchise star. The choice was calculated—but that doesn’t mean it was inspired. If Howard struggles, fans will revisit this draft moment and ask what could’ve been with Sanders.
And if Shedeur thrives elsewhere? The scrutiny will only grow.
For now, Pittsburgh sticks to its script: avoid drama, build slowly, and trust the process. But NFL windows are short, and if this dart misses the bullseye, Mike Tomlin may not get another chance to throw.
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