Shedeur Sanders Gives Steelers A Direct Answer About Playing Behind Aaron Rodgers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been stuck in quarterback purgatory for weeks as the team is still without a starting-caliber quarterback. It has seemed as though the team is willing to wait for a decision from the veteran Aaron Rodgers. However, as he has taken longer and longer to make up his mind, the Steelers haven't shied away from exploring their other options. On Thursday, Pittsburgh met with Shedeur Sanders, who is widely regarded as the number two quarterback prospect in the entire 2025 NFL Draft. Landing Sanders would be a major success for the Steelers, but Pittsburgh might not be able to fully commit to using their first-round draft pick on a quarterback until they know Rodgers' next move.

On Thursday, Sanders appeared on Up & Adams after his visit with the Steelers. Despite the Steelers' interest in Rodgers, Sanders said that the veteran quarterback wasn't brought up at the meeting. When asked if he would be comfortable being a backup to a veteran in Pittsburgh, Sanders wasn't opposed to the idea.

"If that's the way that things play out, then that's how it plays out," said Sanders. "I wouldn't question what God has planned for me."

It has been said that quarterback development is dying in the NFL. Many rookies who are taken in the first-round are expected to be starters in their first game. Should Sanders get the opportunity to be the backup for a four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion, it could be a better start to his NFL career than many realize.

Although Rodgers is evidently Pittsburgh's first choice for a starting quarterback currently, the Steelers can't wait forever. If the team doesn't get a response from Rodgers before the draft, they will likely opt to use the 21st overall pick to try and get a quarterback. If the Steelers wait until after the draft for a decision from Rodgers, and the veteran then retires or goes to another team, the Steelers would be left scrambling for a quarterback and would land themselves in an even more dire situation than they are in now.

The Steelers seem confident that Rodgers will sign with them, given how patiently the team has waited for his decision; although it's been speculated that Rodgers isn't enthusiastic about the prospect of being a Pittsburgh Steeler. Now it would seem that the quarterback's options are between Pittsburgh and retirement. 

Another option however for Rodgers could be that he's waiting until after the draft to see if a starting quarterback is injured or if a quarterback-needy team doesn't get the signal-caller they desire from the draft. In either of those events, Rodgers could swoop in and take the starting spot.

Sanders has built up a reputation for being loud and arrogant. Whether or not those traits are a strength or a weakness for a football player is up for debate. Regardless, it's admirable for a young quarterback who has gotten so much attention to be willing to potentially take the back seat for his first season in the NFL. 

Steelers Could Be Dealing With Egotistical QB One Way Or Another

Rodgers is also a player who has become notorious for his ego. It is hard to imagine the veteran quarterback taking a job anywhere that he isn't guaranteed a starting spot. Rodgers is 41 years old and will be 42 by the end of the upcoming NFL season. He isn't the asset he once was, but he's good enough that NFL teams like the Steelers are willing to give him another chance.

As interesting as it could be to see Rodgers as a mentor for Sanders, the Steelers will likely have to make a choice between a veteran quarterback or a rookie early in the draft. The Steelers don't have a second-round pick, so they will have to make the 21st overall selection count.