BroBible
Shedeur Sanders’ slide from potential first-round pick to fifth-round flyer was the story at the 2025 NFL Draft. Three months prior to the selection event, the passer was the favorite to go No. 1 overall. He didn’t hear his name called until Day 3.
Sanders slipped to No. 144 where he was eventually picked up by the Cleveland Browns. He’ll now look to prove his doubters wrong after being passed over.
That slide cost Sanders a reported $44 million. One NFL insider believes he knows who’s partially to blame.
Ross Tucker of CBS Sports hinted at the possibility during an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show this week. While Rodgers has not signed a deal to play in Pittsburgh, he says a verbal agreement might’ve already been made.
“Nobody wants the most high-profile player on the team to be the backup QB,” he said. “I have no proof of this, but 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. Whether he said something or not, I will believe forever that Aaron Rodgers made it known to the Steelers he did not want Shedeur Sanders in that QB room.”
The Steelers are a major contender to land Rodgers ahead of the 2025 NFL season. He’s been in talks with the organization throughout the offseason as they look to replace both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson.
Pittsburgh held the No. 21 pick in the draft. Several mock projections tabbed it as Sanders’ eventual landing spot. The signal caller, himself, hinted at the idea before the draft. His draft odds sat at over/under 20.5 at the start of the selection process. He went well beyond that number.
A number of other quarterbacks came off the board while Sanders waited patiently. The Browns, Saints, and Giants each voiced preferences for other passers in the draft class. Pittsburgh was the best opportunity for a first-round selection. Aaron Rodgers might’ve ended those chances.
The post NFL Insider Suggests Aaron Rodgers Played Major Role In Shedeur Sanders’ $44M Draft Slide appeared first on BroBible.
