McShay: “Better Than 50/50 Chance” Shedeur Sanders Ends Up a Steeler
Speculation is intensifying around the possibility of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders landing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. While some believe the team could be creating a smokescreen to encourage other teams to trade up, multiple national sources—like ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah—suggest the interest is genuine. One of those voices is veteran draft analyst Todd McShay, who believes there’s a strong chance Sanders will be selected by Pittsburgh at No. 21 overall.
In a newsletter released Thursday morning, McShay said he believes there’s a “better than 50/50 chance” that Sanders ends up in Pittsburgh. He added that head coach Mike Tomlin is high on Sanders and may use his influence within the organization to advocate for the pick. According to McShay, Tomlin and Sanders formed a solid connection during the pre-draft process—contrary to earlier reports.
McShay also noted that since Omar Khan became general manager in 2022, Tomlin has gained more say in personnel decisions than he had under former GM Kevin Colbert. While Colbert and Tomlin worked well together, Colbert had the final word. Now, with more authority, Tomlin could steer the team toward drafting Sanders if he sees him as the right fit.
This potential move has gained momentum over the past few weeks. Early draft projections had Sanders going in the top 10, but he has since slipped in many mock drafts. If the Steelers pass, there’s even a chance he could fall out of the first round. Still, McShay’s intel suggests Tomlin’s support might be enough to secure Sanders as Pittsburgh’s next potential franchise quarterback—even if there’s some skepticism surrounding his famous last name and media presence.
That said, not everyone in the Steelers organization is convinced. While there’s growing acceptance that Sanders could be the pick, some decision-makers are wary, especially given the recent experience with Kenny Pickett—a first-round quarterback who didn’t meet expectations and was eventually traded. According to McShay, doubts linger about whether Sanders can compete with the top-tier quarterbacks dominating the AFC, which could factor into the final decision.
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