Total Pro Sports
An NFL insider has proposed an interesting theory on how free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers may have played a role in Shedeur Sanders’ stunning falll at the 2025 NFL Draft.
Shedeur Sanders was expected to be a first-round pick in this year’s draft, and there was no shortage of QB-needy teams with day one picks. This included the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, and Pittsburgh Steelers (depending on Rodgers’ free agency decision), with many believing the Los Angeles Rams would also target Matthew Stafford’s successor.
But Sanders didn’t end up going until the fifth round, when the Browns selected him with the No. 144 selection. Even that selection was a mild surprise, as Cleveland already used a third-round pick on Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel.
Speaking on “The Dan Patrick Show”, NFL analyst Ross Tucker suggested that the Steelers may have passed on Shedeur Sanders because they essentially have a deal in place with Aaron Rodgers.
Tucker believes that Rodgers told the Steelers he’d sign if they passed on Sanders to help avoid unnecessary distractions:
“Nobody wants the most high-profile player on the team to be the backup quarterback. Nobody wants a lightning rod, polarizing backup quarterback…I have no proof of this, I’m convinced that Aaron Rodgers told the Steelers, ‘Hey, I’m coming. I’ll play for you. But don’t take the Sanders kid.’
Aaron doesn’t want to deal with that. Aaron doesn’t want the first time he has a bad game, people calling for the Steelers to put Shedeur Sanders in.”
This is merely speculation on Tucker’s end, and he’s not a top insider like ESPN’s Adam Schefter or NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. But the theory makes sense, and quite frankly, one could understand why Rodgers might have made such a request.
In the meantime, the Steelers continue to wait for Rodgers to decide on his playing future. Stay tuned for that while Sanders tries to win the starting quarterback job in Cleveland.
Sanders’ draft spot doesn’t at all define his playing career. Tom Brady, the most accomplished NFL player of all-time, was a sixth-round pick for crying out loud.
Joe Montana was a third-round pick. Kurt Warner was undrafted. Steve Young was considered a bust for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before rewriting his career with the San Francisco 49ers as Montana’s successor.
So, why can’t Shedeur Sanders also exceed expectations if he puts in the work and effort to be a star in this league?
