Steelers’ quarterback search continues: Why Shedeur Sanders could be the answer

There’s no question that the biggest need in the Steel City is finding a quarterback who can lead the Steelers into the future. Pittsburgh let both of last season’s starting quarterbacks walk, with Russell Wilson heading to the Giants and Justin Fields now a member of the Jets.

So far this offseason, the Steelers have only added Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson—neither of whom offer a long-term solution at quarterback. In fact, Thompson isn’t even guaranteed a spot on the final roster. One name the team has been linked to is former All-Pro Aaron Rodgers, but even if he signs, it’s hard to imagine him being a viable option beyond a year or two.

That’s why Pittsburgh has made the quarterback position such a priority leading up to the draft. The team has hosted visits with Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, Louisville’s Tyler Shough, and Syracuse’s Kyle McCord, and they’ve been spotted at several Pro Days featuring top quarterback prospects expected to be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Why Shedeur Sanders makes sense at No. 21

While this doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll draft a quarterback in the first round—or at all—there’s one player they should absolutely consider if he’s still available at pick No. 21: Shedeur Sanders. Not long ago, landing Sanders at that spot may have seemed unlikely, but with his draft stock slipping recently, the odds of him being on the board have increased.

Sanders could be an ideal fit in Pittsburgh for several reasons. First, the Steelers aren’t likely to ask him to immediately carry the franchise. Instead, they’ll likely emphasize the run game and ask Sanders to serve as more of a game manager than a traditional franchise quarterback. That’s a role he’s well-suited for, having demonstrated a high football IQ and remarkable poise throughout his college career.

He’s also one of the more accurate quarterbacks in this year’s class. The 2024 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year completed 74% of his passes last season and showed a knack for hitting receivers in stride. While only 23.7% of his completions over the past two seasons were on throws of 10+ yards, it’s easy to see his accuracy translating to the next level—especially with weapons like DK Metcalf and George Pickens at his disposal.

Sanders isn’t without limitations. His arm strength is average, and his pocket awareness needs improvement. But even with those concerns, he’s clearly the best option available for the Steelers to address their quarterback needs this offseason.