Steelers preparing for shock Shedeur Sanders scenario in 2025 NFL Draft

When the Steelers are on the clock Thursday with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, “all options seem to be on the table” about taking a quarterback, particularly if said signal-caller is Shedeur Sanders.

That’s according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, prime free-agency target Aaron Rodgers has yet to firm up his future.

“Sources said the Steelers had not been planning to draft a quarterback in Round 1, but they also were not expecting Sanders to fall out of top 10. Now, all options seem to be on the table, and they are preparing in case they have the option to draft Sanders,” Schefter wrote of the Colorado QB, whose NFL landing spot has become one of the biggest storylines entering this year’s draft.

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Further, the Steelers are among the group of teams after the Titans — essentially a lock to draft Miami QB Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick — “that would like to address quarterback early,” according to Schefter.

There’s also the matter of Pittsburgh’s remaining five picks after the first round and how this potentially impacts plans to move up or to trade down.

Pittsburgh is without its second-rounder after shipping the pick to Seattle in March as part of its trade for wide receiver DK Metcalf.

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The move has left the franchise “short-handed heading into the draft’s early rounds” as their second-highest pick is now No. 83 overall in the third round.

Because of the gap between their first- and third-round picks, it could make Pittsburgh’s “choice at No. 21 even more critical,” as the chance to take a QB may not arise again until Day 2, Schefter noted.

The Browns, Giants and Saints are among the quarterback-needy teams who select high in this year’s draft at Nos. 2, 3 and 9, respectively.

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As part of its draft preparations, the Steelers have been busy getting acquainted with Sanders, the 23-year-old son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, bringing him in for a visit earlier this month.

The team continues to explore options at the position as Rodgers, 41, remains undecided on next steps while tending to challenges in his personal life.

The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday in Green Bay. The Steelers will be on the clock with pick Nos. 21, 83, 124, 156, 185 and 229.