Prior to the 2025 NFL Draft, Aaron Rodgers and his decision on whether or not he wanted to play this upcoming season was one of the biggest storylines in the league. After being released by the New York Jets following a disappointing two-year stint, the Pittsburgh Steelers emerged as the only NFL team that was seriously interested in his services.
Indeed, many expected him to sign with Pittsburgh prior to the draft so that they could finalize their strategy going forward. But he did not, telling the Pat McAfee Show that he has some things going on in his personal life that have caused him to put thoughts of his future in the NFL on the backburner.
As the Rodgers Watch dragged on, many began to wonder if the Steelers would draft a quarterback early in the 2025 NFL Draft. Specifically, many believed that Shedeur Sanders would be their target.
However, as we all know now, that was not the case.
Shedeur Sanders Did Not Get Drafted Until the Fifth Round of the 2025 NFL Draft
Not long ago, Sanders was thought to be a top-five pick in the NFL Draft, with many believing he could even be taken with the first overall pick. In the days and weeks leading up to the draft, though, he saw his stock begin to fall.
The Tennessee Titans, who owned the top selection, informed Cam Ward that they would be taking him, and, true to their word, they did. With the Titans off the list of potential suitors, there were still a few quarterback-needy teams that could have had interest in Sanders.
Or so everyone thought.
When the New York Giants traded back up into the first round for Jaxson Dart, analysts and experts were beside themselves, dumbfounded by the fact that Sanders would not be a Day One pick. Surely, they thought, he would be taken on Day Two in the second or third round.
He was not.
Instead, Sanders slide all the way to the fifth round, finally being taken by the Cleveland Browns, who had already drafted Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel on Day Two.
In the days that have followed the draft, everyone has been trying to make sense of Sanders’ fall and why certain teams did not want him.
NFL Insider Blames Aaron Rodgers for the Draft Fall of Shedeur Sanders
While there are many theories as to why Sanders slid in the NFL Draft, one analyst believes that the reason why the Steelers, specifically, did not draft him is because Rodgers told them not to.
“Nobody wants the most high-profile player on the team to be the backup quarterback,” Ross Tucker told the Dan Patrick Show. “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.”
As Tucker admits, he has no proof of this theory, and one must consider it as wild as some of the conspiracies that Rodgers has become known for believing himself.
Rodgers, should he decide to play in 2025, is fully aware that his time in the NFL is nearing an end (if it has not ended already). He also told Pat McAfee that he had no problem with Pittsburgh moving on from him as a potential option for next season if they felt they could not wait any longer.
Furthermore, Rodgers was nothing but gracious to Jordan Love when the Green Bay Packers drafted him to replace the future Pro Football Hall of Famer. While the selection of Love created friction between Rodgers and Green Bay’s front office, he was a great teammate and mentor to his successor.
There is no reason to think he would not do the same for Sanders.
More Pittsburgh Steelers News from Gridiron Heroics
- Steelers Star Suddenly Preaching “Patience” as Team Awaits Aaron Rodgers Decision
- WR Robert Wood Agrees to 1-Year Deal with Steelers
- Steelers Draft Pick Tragically Retires Before Playing 1 NFL Snap
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