Executive Says Steelers Must Make 'Obvious' Pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers are on a collision course with quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and it’s entirely their own doing.

The Steelers made the choice to let both 2024 quarterbacks, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, hit the open market. Then they made the choice to not sign Sam Darnold or trade for Geno Smith – the latter being the most glaring oversight of the offseason.

Now, every girl at the dance has a partner, leaving Pittsburgh with Aaron Rodgers. That’s the quarterback who doesn’t know if he wants to play in 2025; the quarterback that the Steelers don’t know will age well as he enters his age-42 season.

Rodgers made it clear that he’d be okay with Pittsburgh moving on as he ponders retirement. The 2025 NFL Draft will give them that opportunity.

As Sanders’ stock falls and Rodgers remains unsigned, one executive says the Steelers should make the “obvious” pick in the first round.

"’There's no way they don't take a quarterback — or maybe even two — in the draft,’” a current executive told Jordan Schultz. "’Right now it's just Mason Rudolph. You have zero clarity from Rodgers and you just spent $150 million on [DK] Metcalf. I'm sorry, but you have to address this, and you probably have to do it at 21. If Shedeur's there and I think he could be, he's the obvious pick.’"

Sanders may be a reach in the top five, where he has long been projected. The Cleveland Browns seem locked in on his teammate, Travis Hunter. The New York Giants are heavy favorites to take Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. Schultz noted not to expect the New Orleans Saints to pick Sanders at No. 9.

That doesn’t leave a lot of teams until No. 21. At head coach Mike Tomlin’s pre-draft press conference, he added to the speculation with some praise for the quarterback.

"There's a toughness there that doesn't get talked about enough," Tomlin said. "There's a competitive spirit there that doesn't get talked about enough. I know he is very talented and he's made a lot of plays for his university and his team. The intangible qualities displayed on tape were very impressive to me."

How much Tomlin was foreshadowing will become clear on Thursday night. Opinions will be split on Sanders and his potential selection, but ending the Rodgers debacle would be a win in itself.