Why Shedeur Sanders’ Late-Season Performance Could Quietly Shape the Steelers’ QB Future
The Pittsburgh Steelers are back in the playoff mix-something that’s become almost routine under Mike Tomlin. But while the team continues to grind out wins and stay relevant in the AFC, there’s still a looming question that hasn’t gone away: who’s the long-term answer at quarterback?
Aaron Rodgers has shown flashes of his old self and might have another season in him, but let’s be honest-he’s not the future in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have leaned into the veteran QB route in recent years, but if they want long-term stability at the position, the best path forward is still through the draft.
That means identifying and developing their next franchise guy. And right now, that path is looking a little murky.
The 2026 QB Class: A Thinner Pool Than Expected
Heading into the season, the 2026 quarterback draft class was hyped as a potential bounce-back group after a weaker showing the year prior. But as we reach the final stretch of the college football season, that optimism has cooled.
Fernando Mendoza has been the one consistent name in the mix. Beyond him, the landscape has shifted dramatically.
Dante Moore and Ty Simpson are still in the conversation as potential first-rounders-assuming they declare-but after that, it’s a steep drop-off. Once you get into day-two territory, you’re talking about developmental projects and high-risk gambles.
Not ideal when you're trying to find a cornerstone at the most important position in sports.
Why the Steelers Should Be Watching Shedeur Sanders Closely
This is where Shedeur Sanders enters the picture-not as a draft target, but as a potential ally in the Steelers’ quarterback search.
Let’s be clear: Sanders is far from a lock to be a franchise quarterback. He’s shown flashes of high-level play, but he’s also been inconsistent under pressure and prone to questionable decisions.
The tools are there, but the polish isn’t. And whether or not he can elevate his game to become a surefire NFL starter is still very much up for debate.
But for Pittsburgh, it’s not about Sanders becoming a Steeler-it’s about him playing well enough to become someone else’s quarterback.
Here’s the scenario: the Steelers are likely to pick in the back half of the first round, somewhere in the late teens or early twenties. That’s not exactly prime real estate for landing a top-tier quarterback prospect.
If they want to move up, it’s going to cost them. And with other QB-needy teams-think the Browns, Raiders, Jets, and Rams-all potentially jockeying for position, the market could get crowded fast.
Now throw in some wildcard teams like the Vikings, Cardinals, and Saints, all of whom could be in the mix depending on how things shake out with their current starters. The competition for quarterbacks in the draft could be fierce.
But if Sanders finishes strong and convinces a team to take him in the first round? That’s one less team in the bidding war for Mendoza, Moore, or Simpson. That’s one less obstacle between Pittsburgh and the quarterback they do want.
The Steelers’ Draft Dilemma
With two first-round picks to work with, the Steelers have some flexibility. But that only goes so far when you’re picking outside the top 10.
Trading up from the teens to the top five is a steep climb, and the price tag reflects that. If Sanders can help thin out the competition by becoming a viable first-round option for another team, it could be a subtle but meaningful break for the Steelers.
No, Pittsburgh fans don’t need to become die-hard Sanders supporters overnight. But for the rest of this season, it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on him. His performance could quietly shift the dynamics of the 2026 draft class and make life a little easier for a front office that’s still searching for its next franchise quarterback.
The Steelers don’t need Sanders to be great for them. They just need him to be good enough for someone else.