Steelers' Mike Tomlin shares interesting Shedeur Sanders comments after change in betting odds

While the New Orleans Saints were the betting favorites to draft Shedeur Sanders on Monday, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Pittsburgh Steelers as +190 favorites to take the Colorado quarterback during the player-selection process as of early Tuesday afternoon. 

During a Tuesday news conference, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin indicated that Sanders impressed individuals within the organization during a recent pre-draft visit.

"There's a toughness there that doesn't get talked about enough," Tomlin said about Sanders, as shared by Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. "There's a competitive spirit there that doesn't get talked about enough. I know he is very talented, and he's made a lot of plays for his university and his team. But the intangible qualities displayed on tape were impressive to me."

It's still unknown whether or not Aaron Rodgers will eventually join a Pittsburgh quarterback room that currently features longtime backup Mason Rudolph and possible QB3 Skylar Thompson. According to Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper, Tomlin insisted on Tuesday that uncertainty about Rodgers does not impact how the Steelers will handle the 21st overall pick of the draft. 

Numerous reports have said that the Cleveland Browns (pick No. 2), New York Giants (No. 3) and Saints (No. 9) will all pass on Sanders when called to spend their first-round selections. It's unclear if any of those clubs could leapfrog Pittsburgh in the draft order to get Sanders later in the first round. 

Both the Browns and Giants have been linked with Alabama's Jalen Milroe, while the Saints may target Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart. Meanwhile, an April 17 report claimed that Tomlin "really likes Sanders, sees his potential and is in favor of drafting" the polarizing prospect. 

"I've obviously known his father for a long time, [but] it was my first time meeting [Shedeur], and to be quite honest with you, we didn't talk a whole lot about my relationship with his father," Tomlin said, per Jack Markowski of Sports Illustrated. "It was a normal pre-draft visit, to spend time with a young man, to talk ball, to get to know him as an individual, to get to see how he processes and sees the game and how he articulates his football experience. From that standpoint, it was a very normal visit and a very productive one."

Unlike other coaches, Tomlin likely wouldn't have to worry about possibly losing his job to Deion Sanders as soon as next year if Pittsburgh drafts Shedeur. The Steelers won't have a long-term answer at quarterback on their roster when the draft gets underway on Thursday night, but it remains to be seen if Tomlin views Shedeur as a first-round talent.