The Pittsburgh Steelers never planned to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In fact, Shedeur Sanders apparently was barely on the franchise's radar even amid their search for a signal-caller after Justin Fields signed with New York in March.

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders earned praise from former Browns signal-caller Johnny Manziel, who applauded the Colorado Buffaloes standout for his composure during the 2025 NFL Draft and predicted his long-term success in the league.

Entering the 2025 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers were being heavily linked to former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. However, the team opted to pass on him repeatedly throughout the draft until he was selected in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns.