The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation has remained anything but settled throughout the entire offseason. With the 2025 NFL Draft drawing closer, the conversation is starting to shift toward the possibility of Pittsburgh selecting a quarterback. While the franchise must think seriously about the future at the most important position in football, the Steelers also have other glaring needs, especially along the defensive line.
One of the top names in this year’s quarterback class, despite it being viewed as relatively weak, is Shedeur Sanders. Once projected as a top-five pick, Sanders has started to slide down draft boards — and if he’s available at 21st overall, Pittsburgh may have a legitimate decision to make.
Sanders brings undeniable talent and could potentially become the long-term face of the franchise. He’s an accurate passer with mobility and a strong presence both on and off the field. However, his confidence and no-nonsense leadership style come with potential risks. Sanders has a reputation for being direct and unapologetically vocal, something that could rub teammates the wrong way if things go south — especially in a high-pressure city like Pittsburgh.
If the Steelers are struggling and wide receivers like DK Metcalf and George Pickens aren’t seeing the targets they expect, tensions could rise quickly. Sanders is not the type of quarterback to shy away from calling out teammates or speaking his mind. That kind of approach, while admirable to some, could turn volatile in a locker room full of big personalities. It’s a dynamic that has the potential to spiral into a nightmare scenario if the team isn’t winning — and that’s the part of the Sanders conversation no one seems to be addressing.
There’s a lot to like about Sanders, but according to some NFL scouts and executives, his cockiness and attitude during meetings have raised a few eyebrows. That shouldn’t come as a shock—Sanders, much like his father Deion Sanders, is confident, unapologetically himself, and talented enough to back up much of what he says. The bigger question is how he would fit into the culture of the Steelers locker room.
The Steelers’ wide receiver room is now headlined by Pickens and Metcalf—two exceptionally gifted players who are known to show frustration when they’re not getting the ball and the team is losing. That’s the formula for a potential meltdown, whether it's Pickens or Metcalf.
Early in the 2024 college football season, during Colorado’s first game against North Dakota State, a clip went viral showing Sanders giving some harsh sideline feedback to his star receiver Travis Hunter. After a failed touchdown attempt where Hunter appeared to be grabbed by a cornerback without drawing a flag, Sanders was caught yelling, "Shut up, catch the first one." When Hunter calmly tried to explain his side, Sanders doubled down, saying, "IDGAF, catch it." Moments later, the coaches stepped in to calm things down—and on the next play, Sanders hit Hunter for a touchdown.
Two things can be true: Sanders has the tools to be a boom-or-bust prospect in the NFL, and success will depend heavily on fit and environment. With Pickens now entering his fourth NFL season and Metcalf arriving in Pittsburgh on a $30 million per year deal, it’s unlikely either receiver would respond well to that kind of treatment from a rookie quarterback.
Steelers Drafting Shedeur Sanders Could Create Locker Room Tension
While this exchange with Hunter might seem minor, it highlights a larger truth: Sanders is going to remain unapologetically himself. He’s not changing for Pickens, Metcalf, or anyone else—and that could become a real problem in 2025 if the Steelers were to land him in the draft.
It would undoubtedly be fascinating to see how Sanders would mesh with the current Steelers roster, particularly with strong personalities like Pickens and Metcalf. However, there’s a fine line between confidence and conflict—and how that balance plays out could define the success or failure of Sanders’ potential future in Pittsburgh. This type of brutal leadership could be exactly what Pickens needs or it could create a ton of drama in the Steel City for 2025. Though, the point would be futile if Sanders doesn't fall to the Steelers at 21.
