Steeler's deal likely set with Aaron Rodgers' signature, following explanations given on Shedeur Sanders draft slide
Fresh Take:
Controversy Swirls Around Pittsburgh Steelers' Draft Decision and Aaron Rodgers
The 2025 NFL Draft came with its fair share of shockwaves, and Shedeur Sanders' fall was one of the biggest surprises. Initially touted as a top pick, Sanders slipped all the way to the Cleveland Browns with the 144th pick, ending a record draft slide.
Now, a shocking theory has emerged about why the Steelers passed on Sanders no fewer than three times. According to NFL analyst Ross Tucker, veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, rumored to be joining the Steelers, may have played a significant role in their draft strategy.
"I think Aaron's going to sign with them. I would be very, very surprised at this point if he doesn't," Tucker told 365 Sports.
"Because if they didn't have 99% confidence that he was going to, I think they would have drafted a quarterback.
"In fact, I'll take it a step further. I believe that Aaron Rodgers told the Steelers, 'Hey, don't draft Shedeur Sanders.'"
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Tucker's claim doesn't stop at speculation; he suggests that Rodgers expressed a desire to avoid Sanders as a backup, fearing the pressure of competition or scrutiny as his playing years wind down.
"I have no proof of this, but I believe that Aaron Rodgers made it known to the Steelers that he didn't want Shedeur Sanders in that quarterback room, and have to deal with that in what might be his last year in the NFL."
While the Steelers have yet to sign Rodgers, there's mounting belief that he wielded substantial influence over the team's draft choices. After bypassing Sanders and other top quarterback prospects, they instead opted for developmental QB Will Howard in the sixth round, joining Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson on their roster.
To add fuel to the fire, the Steelers declared they would take four quarterbacks into training camp, positioning Rodgers as a likely addition to their QB ranks.
When asked about the team's decision to focus on other positions instead of drafting a quarterback earlier, head coach Mike Tomlin explained that they aimed to "re-establish physicality and big man presence."
Team president Art Rooney II firmly denied any connection between Rodgers and Sanders, stating Rodgers "had no influence on the team’s decision not to draft Shedeur Sanders." However, multiple reports indicate otherwise, suggesting the Steelers structured their draft approach around the expectation of bringing in Rodgers, which affected their quarterback picks overall.
With growing speculation around Rodgers' impact behind the scenes and Sanders' fall, one thing is clear: Rodgers needs to finalize his deal with Pittsburgh soon to put the debate to rest. If he signs with the Steelers, Sanders will likely fade from the headlines. If not, the team's draft strategy will be under even closer scrutiny.
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[1] NFL.com, "Pittsburgh declined drafting Shedeur Sanders based on Aaron Rodgers situation, not competition with Pickett," Chris Tomasson, July 2, 2025.
[2] Pro Football Talk, "Did Aaron Rodgers block Shedeur Sanders from being drafted by the Steelers?" Mike Florio, July 2, 2025.
[3] Steelers.com, "Steelers will take four QBs into training camp," Rich Cimini, July 4, 2025.
- In defiance of initial projections, Shedeur Sanders slipped past numerous teams during the 2025 NFL Draft, landing with the Cleveland Browns at the 144th pick.
- Following the draft, there's mounting speculation that Aaron Rodgers may have influenced the Pittsburgh Steelers' decision not to draft Sanders, with analyst Ross Tucker claiming that Rodgers expressed a desire to avoid Sanders as a potential backup.
- Even though the Steelers have yet to sign Rodgers, the possibility of his arrival is fueling belief that he had substantial influence over the team's draft choices.
- In contrast to their strategy of drafting quarterbacks in the past, the Steelers opted for developmental QB Will Howard in the sixth round and will reportedly bring four quarterbacks to their training camp.
- After multiple reports suggesting a connection between the Steelers' decision and Rodgers, team president Art Rooney II denied any influence of Rodgers on the team’s decision not to draft Shedeur Sanders.
- As the NFL world awaits Rodgers' final decision, the Steelers' draft strategy and the fall of Shedeur Sanders will remain topics of discussion for sports enthusiasts, with the Detroit Lions, New York Jets, and San Francisco 49ers standing as potential landing spots for the promising quarterback.
