Reports leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft indicated that there wasn’t a “consensus” within the New York Giants’ building about whether to grab Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the player-selection process, as Giants head coach Brian Daboll allegedly “warmed to” Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart throughout the scouting process.
It appears that Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith may have some work to do if they want to convince Steelers owner/president Art Rooney II that the club should draft Sanders at pick No. 21.
“I think the owner has to be on board,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said on the “Get Up” program about Pittsburgh possibly drafting Sanders, as shared by Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. “We don’t know what Art Rooney thinks about this particular selection, which is why it’s hard to forecast exactly how it’s going to go in Pittsburgh. I would say that Mike Tomlin absolutely is a Shedeur Sanders fan. He’s got support there. Arthur Smith is a Shedeur Sanders fan. People like him there. The question is, is the owner gonna sign off?”
It’s now clear some clubs don’t have a first-round grade on Sanders due to concerns related to his athleticism and his personality. That said, ESPN’s Dan Graziano mentioned in an article published Wednesday that Sanders “made a strong positive impression on [the Steelers’] coaching staff during the predraft process.”
A previous story noted that Tomlin could “advocate” for Pittsburgh to take Sanders over Dart and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe with the draft’s 21st selection.
Members of the Pittsburgh coaching staff were reportedly split on how to handle the club’s Russell Wilson-Justin Fields situation during what became a five-game losing streak that ran from Week 15 of the 2024 season through the wild-card round of the playoffs. Logic suggests Rooney would do well to simply get out of the way if it’s true that both Tomlin and Smith want Sanders.
As of Wednesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Steelers as the betting favorites at +180 odds to draft Sanders. A Cleveland Browns side that reportedly could trade back into the first round for Sanders was second on the list (+210 odds) at that time.
