Why the Steelers Passed on Shedeur Sanders in the NFL Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers had the chance to select quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft but chose to go in another direction. Instead, they picked defensive tackle Derrick Harmon from Oregon — a move influenced, at least in part, by team owner Art Rooney II.
Reports leading up to the draft suggested the Steelers were considering Sanders if he was still on the board at their pick. He was, but Pittsburgh opted to address their defensive line instead. According to Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh, Harmon was seen as the team’s clear favorite, especially given Rooney’s stated desire to strengthen the team’s defensive front.
While most team owners avoid direct involvement in personnel decisions, Rooney’s preference may have helped tip the scales. It’s not uncommon for ownership input to influence final draft choices, especially when opinions are divided among team leadership.
Another factor in the decision may have been the team’s draft position. The Steelers don’t have another pick until the third round (83rd overall), which may have led them to prioritize an immediate need over selecting a quarterback who would likely spend his rookie year on the bench.
In a surprising twist, Sanders fell out of the first round entirely. The New York Giants, another team rumored to be interested in Sanders, took linebacker Abdul Carter at No. 3 and then used their second first-round selection (via a trade with Houston) to take quarterback Jaxson Dart instead.
Despite the hype surrounding Sanders ahead of the draft, several teams chose other directions, leaving him waiting for his name to be called on Day 2.
