Steelers Benefit from Skipping on Shedeur Sanders After Off-Field Incident
The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking wise in hindsight for their decision to pass on rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the recent NFL Draft. Though Sanders was considered a top prospect and had drawn serious attention from the Steelers, they ultimately went in another direction, choosing quarterback Will Howard from Ohio State instead. Now, early indications suggest that the Steelers’ decision may already be paying off, especially in light of Sanders’ first brush with controversy as a member of the Cleveland Browns.
According to a recent report from Fox 8 News in Cleveland, Sanders has found himself in hot water following an off-field issue involving law enforcement. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of June 17 when Sanders was pulled over by the Strongsville Police Department while driving northbound on Interstate 71. The rookie quarterback was clocked traveling at an alarming 101 miles per hour, significantly exceeding the posted speed limit by 41 mph. He was promptly issued a citation for the violation.
Exceeding the speed limit by such a wide margin is not only dangerous but also raises red flags for professional teams when it comes to player responsibility and off-field behavior. According to data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, more than 80,000 drivers in the state were ticketed for exceeding the speed limit by 20 mph or more last year. Of those, close to 4,000 were cited for driving at speeds that surpassed the limit by 40 mph or more, putting Sanders’ actions in a particularly concerning category.
For the Steelers, this incident only serves to reinforce the wisdom of their draft strategy. With Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph already on the roster, Pittsburgh sought a young quarterback who could develop quietly and mature behind experienced veterans. Will Howard appears to fit that mold, offering talent without any of the off-field baggage. In contrast, Sanders, despite his undeniable potential, is already drawing attention for the wrong reasons.
There’s little doubt that Sanders was among the most talked-about quarterback prospects heading into the draft. As the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders and a standout at Colorado, his talent and name recognition made him an enticing option for many teams. The Browns eventually selected him, hopeful that his skill set and poise could translate to the next level. But this recent incident could pose an early distraction and raise concerns about his judgment and maturity.
As training camp approaches, the Browns find themselves with a crowded quarterback room. Alongside Sanders, the team also has Kenny Pickett (a former Steeler), veteran Joe Flacco, and rookie Dillon Gabriel. The battle for the starting role is expected to be intense, and no frontrunner has been officially named. Sanders’ involvement in the speeding incident may not help his case, as the Browns coaching staff weighs not just on-the-field potential but also professionalism and accountability.
The Steelers and Browns are scheduled to face each other in Week 6 of the 2025 season, with the game set to take place at Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium. This will likely be Sanders’ first opportunity to perform in front of a hostile Steelers crowd, assuming he sees playing time in that matchup. Whether he actually takes the field remains uncertain, particularly with the quarterback depth chart still unresolved in Cleveland.
The Steelers, meanwhile, appear to have built a stable and forward-thinking quarterback situation. With Aaron Rodgers providing veteran leadership and Mason Rudolph offering depth, the organization is creating a strong foundation for Will Howard to grow. The plan clearly involves patience and development, contrasting sharply with the situation in Cleveland, where four quarterbacks are competing simultaneously for the top spot, and where Sanders’ off-field behavior could complicate things further.
It’s worth noting that off-the-field discipline has become a significant point of emphasis for many NFL teams in recent years. Organizations place a high value on character and responsibility, especially when evaluating young players who are expected to grow into leadership roles. For Sanders, being involved in an incident that could have endangered others on the road sends the wrong message, particularly so early in his career. While one speeding ticket doesn’t define a player, it certainly doesn’t help in establishing a reputation as a professional.
In the case of the Steelers, their draft decision now looks even smarter. While they certainly did their homework on Sanders and were reportedly very interested in him, they ultimately decided that Will Howard was a better fit for their plans. That choice now seems to have spared them the kind of distraction that the Browns may have to manage moving forward. Howard may not have the same hype surrounding him, but he arrives with a clean slate and a clear role—learning from some of the best while preparing for his chance in the future.
This development underscores the unpredictable nature of drafting and developing NFL quarterbacks. Talent alone doesn’t determine success. Maturity, judgment, and the ability to handle the pressure of professional life are all essential factors. The Steelers, by opting for a steady hand rather than a flashy name, may have sidestepped potential issues that could disrupt a young player’s progress and distract a team with playoff ambitions.
In conclusion, while it is far too early to make any definitive judgments about Shedeur Sanders’ career, the Steelers’ early decision to pass on him now seems prudent. The speeding incident may be a minor hiccup in the grand scheme of his career, but it highlights the risks that teams take when investing in young, high-profile talent. For the Browns, it’s a situation they’ll need to monitor closely. For the Steelers, it’s a reminder that sometimes the smartest move is the one that draws the least attention.
As the 2025 season nears, Pittsburgh looks to be in a solid position at the quarterback spot, with development, discipline, and leadership at the forefront of their strategy. Cleveland, meanwhile, faces a bit more uncertainty, especially if Sanders fails to stay out of the headlines. Time will tell how these decisions pan out, but for now, the Steelers seem justified in their choice to build for the future with a quieter, more controlled approach.
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