Mike Tomlin Explains Why Steelers Passed on Shedeur Sanders

While many believed that Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders would be a perfect fit with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, they were brutally mistaken as Pittsburgh elected to stay clear.

At a recent press conference, Tomlin addressed why the team passed on Sanders, confirming some rumors swirling on draft day.

“I think he’s a great prospect, but the off-the-field distractions don’t align with the players we draft,” Tomlin said.

Tomlin’s statement seemingly alludes to many reports that NFL executives had discussed immediately after the draft, including the belief that Sanders’ stardom could pose a locker room issue for a team’s culture.

Recently, one NFL executive explained why Sanders fell and highlighted Shedeur’s father, Deion, as the main culprit.

“I think his dad’s involvement hurt him,” the anonymous source said. “Some of the things his dad said, I think, weighed on people’s minds. It’s not about being a brand. It’s about being a teammate and earning a job.”

With Sanders on the no-go list in Pittsburgh, the team elected to snag another former Big 12 quarterback in the draft, adding National Championship quarterback Will Howard, who spent four years of his collegiate career at Kansas State.

What comes next for Shedeur Sanders will surely be discussed, but until fans see the former Buffalo in action, all talk remains on his improbable fall on draft night and the bigger picture at play.