Mike Tomlins clear thoughts on Shedeur Sanders | NFL News

Mike Tomlin had high reward for Shedeur Sanders forward of the NFL Draft, however in the end determined in opposition to choosing the Colorado quarterback with the twenty first decide for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After a 2024 season that noticed the AFC North group end with a 10-7 report earlier than bowing out within the first spherical of the playoffs, the Steelers let quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields depart to the New York Giants and New York Jets respectively through free company. The franchise hasn’t had playoff success since making it to the AFC Championship Game after the 2016 season, and had been on the lookout for a recent strategy to 2025.

With the departures, Mason Rudolph stays within the Steelers’ plans for the backfield. While Tomlin is ready on Aaron Rodgers’ determination to turn into the new franchise QB, he did contemplate drafting Sanders – and his earlier admiration for the participant would have backed this transfer.

“I think the things that stood out were evident in his video,” Tomlin stated. “There’s a toughness there that doesn’t get talked about enough. There’s a competitive spirit there that doesn’t get talked about enough.

“I do know he is very gifted and he is made a lot of performs for his college and his group. But the intangible qualities displayed on tape had been spectacular to me.”

The Steelers could have become an even more fascinating team to watch had they secured Sanders’ talents. After acquiring DK Metcalf earlier this off-season and awarding him a hefty contract extension, the Steelers created a dynamic offensive force, pairing him with George Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth.

This trio could potentially elevate Pittsburgh’s aerial attack, and a fresh young quarterback in Sanders may have propelled the Steelers to new heights.

The Steelers are now well-equipped to advance into the playoffs and boast a robust defense known for its game-winning prowess. With the omlin guiding from the sidelines, Pittsburgh’s environment would have been ideal for a quarterback like Sanders to grow and refine his skills.

During the 2024 collegiate season with Colorado, Sanders impressed with his throwing arm, notching up 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, leading the nation with a completion rate of 74.2 percent.

His outstanding performance earned him the prestigious Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award for the top upperclassman quarterback in college football, along with the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year accolade.

However, Sanders’ time at Colorado was not without concerns; he was sacked 94 times over two years. This alarming figure raises red flags about his exposure to physical punishment and suggests that the 22-year-old may have held onto the ball for too long.

Sanders’ playing style isn’t the only aspect under scrutiny – his personality has reportedly raised eyebrows in the professional ranks. An NFL Network report quotes an assistant coach who painted Sanders as “entitled” and described having “the worst formal interview” experience with him.

Sanders, however, remains unfazed by the current scrutiny surrounding him. In an April interview with NBC, he said: “I actually haven’t any space for negativity, so it does not play a consider my life in any respect. I perceive the simplest factor on the earth to do is to be adverse as a substitute of optimistic. I actually do not care what people should say.”

Despite this, Sanders’ prospects have dipped dramatically, following his snub from all first-round picks within the NFL Draft.