The Steelers entered the playoffs with a 10-7 record, but their season unraveled fast. Now, as the Steelers have entered the Off-Season without the QBs they promised fans, an exciting 2025 NFL Draft rolled around. Everyone expected a bold move. With the quarterback room still in flux, most figured Mike Tomlin would turn to Shedeur Sanders and take a swing. But instead, he played it cool, dodging the spotlight. Instead of dialing up, he checked it down to Will Howard– the safer bet.  Maybe they just didn’t want the drama. Either way, five years post-Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh’s still tossing darts at the board, praying one finally hits the bullseye.

As per ESPN, Mike Tomlin had the chance in the 2025 NFL Draft—and he passed. Despite the buzz, the meeting, and the praise, the Steelers coach chose not to draft Shedeur Sanders. And that decision sent a clear message: Pittsburgh wasn’t ready to roll the dice on potential drama, even if the talent was there.

That was a surprising turn of events as Tomlin was full of praise for Shedeurs just a few days before the draft. “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 had said. “I know he’s very talented, and he’s made a lot of plays for his university and his team. But the intangible qualities displayed on tape were impressive to me.” That’s more than coach-speak. That’s a belief. But belief didn’t translate into action.