NFL Insider: Steelers Situation With Russell Wilson Responsible For Team Passing On Shedeur Sanders

The Pittsburgh Steelers currently find themselves lacking major depth at the quarterback position. Currently consisting of Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and rookie Will Howard, Pittsburgh's quarterback room lacks true quality and a starting presence. With free-agent quarterback and four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers remaining unsigned entering June, many people around the NFL world have expressed their concerns and doubts with the team's current quarterback depth.

With Rudolph currently projected to be the Steelers' starting quarterback entering Week 1, many have continued to ask why the Steelers didn't draft former University of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders, who is credited with one of the most unexpected draft slides in NFL history, was selected in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns. Originally projected to be a top 10 pick, Sanders proved to be an elite quarterback on the college level. Splitting time at both Jackson State and Colorado over the course of four seasons, Sanders proved to be a winner everywhere he went as he played a major role in rebuilding the Buffaloes' program. 

With the current state of the Steelers' quarterback room, many have wondered why Pittsburgh passed on the former college star. With questions continuing to circulate all throughout the Steelers' offense, NFL analyst Albert Breer gave his thoughts on the situation.

"I think people there would tell you that the Russell Wilson thing undermines so many things in the last month of the season and that a lot of that building really wanted them to go back to Justin Fields." Breer stated. "And it was something where Tomlin was kind of, again, all on his own on that one."

Breer continued to speak about the Sanders decision, where he claims that Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin was a fan of the former Colorado quarterback entering draft night.

"And I think it's part of the reason why Tomlin liked Shedeur going into the draft. But I don't think Tomlin wanted to press that button again at quarterback after what happened with Russell at the end of last year."

Sanders, who played a major role in Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter winning the Heisman trophy, is expected to fight for a spot on Cleveland's roster throughout the course of training camp. Hunter, who was selected second overall in this year's draft,  was a star on the college level and played a massive part in Sanders' success as well. Despite the draft night slide, Sanders is expected to get a major opportunity to showcase his full potential in the near future.

As the Steelers continue to wait for a decision from Rodgers in free agency, the team continues to evaluate the talent that is already on the roster as well. Despite the decision to pass on Sanders, the Steelers were still able to leave the draft with a promising young quarterback in Howard. Howard, who won a National Championship in his final season on the college level at Ohio State, is a talented rookie who is expected to have an opportunity to make an impact in the future.

Steelers Find Offensive Woes Outside Of The Quarterback Room

As depth issues continue to be a major concern in Pittsburgh's quarterback room, the team finds itself with similar issues in the wide receiver room as well. After trading star wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange of a third round pick, the Steelers have no real wide receiver depth outside of DK Metcalf. 

Metcalf, who was acquired by the Steelers in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks earlier in the offseason, is expect to play a major role during his first season in Pittsburgh. With the rest of the Steelers' receiver room consisting of Calvin Austin lll, Roman Wilson and Robert Woods, the team may turn to free agency in hopes of acquiring a true wide receiver two behind Metcalf.