Why the Pittsburgh Steelers passed on Shedeur Sanders: Mike Tomlin’s shocking draft decision explained

The 2025 NFL Draft delivered one of its biggest surprises when Shedeur Sanders, the highly anticipated quarterback from Colorado and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, was passed up by team after team. But the most eye-opening moment came when the Pittsburgh Steelers—long rumored to be a likely landing spot—chose Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon instead. While NFL analysts and fans scrambled to make sense of it, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin dropped a sharp, six-word explanation that’s now turning heads. Meanwhile, former NFL voices weighed in with unfiltered opinions on the QB’s draft night tumble.

With the 21st overall pick, many believed Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers would finally call Shedeur’s name. Even top NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah said, “If he does not go here, I don’t have a home for him.” But when the commissioner announced, “The Pittsburgh Steelers select Derrick Harmon, defensive tackle, Oregon,” jaws dropped across the league.
NFL reporter Nick Farabaugh approached Tomlin post-draft and got a straightforward answer. “Mike Tomlin says Derrick Harmon will learn from Cam Heyward as his mentee and be a ‘starter for him’ for years to come.” Then came the remark that clarified everything: “[Derrick was] impressive at every level of the process.”

That’s it. Six words—clear, direct, and deliberate. Despite the Steelers lacking a long-term quarterback, Tomlin emphasized how Harmon simply checked every box. That speaks volumes about the Steelers’ current confidence in their quarterback room or potential plans involving free agency or mid-round talent. Some fans are even floating Aaron Rodgers’ name into the mix, speculating about a last-chapter run in Pittsburgh.
On ESPN’s First Take, former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky didn’t hold back on Sanders. “While his dad was one of the greatest ever, Shedeur’s not that right now physically,” he said. “He’s not this remarkable, rare, unbelievable unicorn athlete.” Fellow analyst Marcus Spears praised Shedeur’s potential, but Orlovsky’s words cut deep and added more pressure to the narrative.
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Whether Shedeur Sanders proves doubters wrong or not, his journey just got a lot more interesting. Mike Tomlin’s pick shocked the NFL world—and his six-word explanation reminded everyone that team needs and player fit still outweigh the hype. Now, all eyes are on Day 2 to see where the former Colorado star finally lands.