Steelers predicted to draft 151-touchdown quarterback amid Aaron Rodgers wait
The Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to draft a quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft, despite their ongoing pursuit of veteran Aaron Rodgers, who may only provide a short-term solution as he turns 42 in December. Without Rodgers, the Steelers face a significant challenge, as they lack a starting-caliber quarterback, with only Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson under contract. CBS Sports analyst Chris Trapasso predicts the Steelers will select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the fourth round, who has unexpectedly fallen in the draft despite his 151 career touchdowns. If Rodgers joins the Steelers, Sanders can develop under his mentorship; otherwise, he could immediately compete for a starting role. Although Sanders' immediate impact is uncertain, his addition could offer the Steelers hope for a more stable future at the quarterback position.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently without a newly drafted quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft and are exploring the potential acquisition of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is nearing 42 years of age.
Should the Steelers fail to secure Rodgers, they face a dire situation at quarterback, as their current roster only includes Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson, neither of whom are considered starting-caliber.
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports forecasts that the Steelers will select quarterback Shedeur Sanders from Colorado as the 122nd overall pick in the fourth round, a surprising outcome given expectations for Sanders to be chosen earlier in the draft.
Sanders' draft slide is notable, as he accumulated 151 touchdowns at Jackson State and Colorado, and many experts anticipated him being selected during the first or second rounds.
If Rodgers joins the Steelers, Sanders would benefit from learning under the experienced quarterback, potentially enhancing his development for future seasons.
In the absence of Rodgers, Sanders could immediately compete for the starting quarterback position against Rudolph and any other potential veteran acquisitions by the Steelers.
While Sanders' success in his first year is not guaranteed, his presence on the team could provide a promising outlook for the Steelers' long-term quarterback strategy.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are through three rounds of the 2025 NFL draft and the team has yet to select a quarterback while it continues to wait on Aaron Rodgers.
While Rodgers might solve the Steelers' short-term problem under center, he may only be around for one year as he prepares to turn 42 in December. If the Steelers ultimately don't sign Rodgers, they'll be in big trouble.
That's because the team doesn't have a starting-caliber quarterback on the roster, with Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson being the only signal-callers under contract.
One analyst, CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso, thinks the Steelers will add to their room by selecting Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the No. 122 overall pick, which falls in the fourth round.
"The incredibly long wait is over for Sanders. He lands in Pittsburgh with plenty of hoopla yet isn't in a pressure-packed scenario to start immediately," Trapasso wrote.
Sanders, who tallied 151 total touchdowns between his time at Jackson State and Colorado, is in the midst of one of the most legendary NFL draft slides in league history. Almost all experts expected him to be drafted on Day 1, and a few had Sanders going in Round 2. However, nobody expected a slide this far.
If the Steelers do sign Rodgers, Sanders can sit behind the future Hall of Famer for a year, which would be invaluable for his development. If the Steelers don't sign the superstar quarterback, Sanders can compete for a starting job right away with Rudolph and any other veteran the Steelers sign or trade for.
Granted, Sanders isn't guaranteed to pan out, especially in Year 1, but he'd still be a welcomed addition that would give Pittsburgh some hope for the future at the most important position in the NFL.
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