Pittsburgh Steelers

While the Pittsburgh Steelers wait for Aaron Rodgers to make a decision regarding the 2025 season, they reportedly have some interest in multiple quarterback prospects ahead of Thursday's NFL draft.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler discussed Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart on Sunday's SportsCenter and noted Pittsburgh has "some love for Sanders picking at No. 21." He also pointed out there is "some love in the Steelers' building" for Jaxson Dart.

The Sanders note was part of a larger conversation about whether the Colorado signal-caller will fall in the draft. Fowler listed the New Orleans Saints as a team that has "done a lot of work on the quarterback" and the Cleveland Browns as a possibility if they trade into the first round after selecting Travis Hunter at No. 2.

However, he also pointed out "there's just not a lot of momentum right now or buzz that has a sure-fire hit, other than most around the league do expect him to go fairly high in the first round."

As for Dart, Fowler said he talked to multiple NFL executives who don't feel he will be a top-15 pick but also "wouldn't be surprised" if he was come draft day since there's "at least some buzz that he could go pretty early."

Pittsburgh likely needs to address the quarterback position at some point this offseason with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields no longer on the roster. Its current depth chart is Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson, which would be difficult to compete in an AFC North that also features Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson.

Rodgers has been connected to the Steelers throughout the offseason, although the future Hall of Famer didn't put any timetable on a decision during a Thursday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

"Listen, this entire time I haven't felt like I owed somebody any decision at some point," Rodgers said (h/t Tom Pelissero of NFL Network). "... I've been upfront with them about that. If you need to move on, call me, by all means. ... There's been no deadline. And yeah, I've talked to Mike (Tomlin) many times."

If Rodgers hasn't made a decision by Thursday's draft, the Steelers may have no choice but to use one of their picks on a quarterback in case he decides to retire or even pursue another opportunity.

Even if he did join the team, he is 41 years old and not the long-term answer.

Perhaps the front office sees Sanders or Dart as more of a play for the future and reacts accordingly at pick No. 21.

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ohio State QB Will Howard with the No. 185 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Will Howard is a physically talented quarterback with dual-threat playmaking abilities.

Howard is a plus-level athlete with good size and stature. He has the athleticism for designed quarterback runs. In the low red zone, Howard's rushing ability forces defenses to play them honestly and factor him into their run defense. He navigates the pocket fairly well, sliding from pressure, and will break the pocket if defensive pressure flushes him out. Howard's big frame increases effectiveness near the goal; he will lower his shoulder to force his way into the end zone.

Regarding the passing game, Howard operates well within the short and intermediate parts of the field. He flashes good velocity from zero to 15 yards down the field. Designed and isolated quick-passing concepts work well for Howard as they provide easy ways to attack the defense and get into a rhythm. He attacks the seam routes well, throwing with the right amount of velocity and touch based on the defensive coverage. Howard throws down the field with good touch and ball placement, landing over the receiver's shoulders.

Howard's lower body mechanics in the pocket are inconsistent, resulting in off-target passes. His footwork gets off schedule, and he is skittish in the pocket. After hitting the top of the drop, when he attempts to climb or hitch forward in the pocket, Howard can be heel-clicky. This results in a decrease in accuracy. Howard must find stability and consistency with his base inside the pocket to enhance his accuracy and ball placement.

He must refrain from putting the football in harm's way. Howard tends to lock onto his initial read or pre-determine his read based on the pre-snap defensive alignment. This creates vulnerability when the defense changes its pre-snap look post-snap. Howard tests windows with a gunslinger mentality, trusting his arm more than he should. He had multiple dropped interceptions this season alone. Howard does not utilize eye manipulation on a consistent basis to hold second and third level defenders. This can open up more space inside throwing lanes but keeping defenders from entering the picture.

Overall, Will Howard has the tools and abilities teams look for in a developmental prospect. He offers an NFL skill set but projects as a backup behind a veteran. Howard's flashes of passing upside, along with his rushing ability, will be enticing to an NFL franchise later in the draft.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 237

HAND: 9"

ARM: 32"

WINGSPAN: 77 ⅛"

3-CONE: 7.13

SHUTTLE: 4.33

VERTICAL: 31.5

BROAD: 9'4

POSITIVES

— Plus-level athleticism and mobility capable of making plays on the move.

— Possesses the arm talent to push the ball down the field and into tight windows in the short to intermediate field areas.

— Strong sense to beat the blitz with anticipation and accuracy.

— Good understanding of when to throw with velocity and touch, layers his throws well.

NEGATIVES

— Limiting putting the football in harm's way and turnover-worthy plays.

— Lower body mechanics lack consistency on dropbacks, can get heel-clicky when climbing the pocket.

—Needs to improve on holding and manipulating defenders with his eyes before throws.

— None of his tools, physical or mental, are on an elite tier.

NOTES

— Born Sept. 24, 2001

— 3-star recruit in 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: Third-team All-Big Ten; National Champion; Offensive MVP of National Championship Game

— 2023: Second-team All-Big 12; Honorable Mention Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year

GRADE: 7.4 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter— Third Round)

OVERALL RANK: 74

POSITION RANK: QB5

PRO COMPARISON: Mason Rudolph

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be looking at the 2025 NFL draft to fill their hole at running back.

Matt Miller of ESPN reported that the team has invested significant time in evaluating the running backs in the draft class and that the team is likely to draft a tailback in the middle rounds.

"The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a ton of work on this talented running back group, according to scouting sources," Miller wrote. "Pittsburgh lost starter Najee Harris in free agency and returns Jaylen Warren, but the expectation around the league is the team will draft a running back. Pittsburgh doesn't have a second-round pick after trading it for wide receiver DK Metcalf, so this could be a Round 3 or Round 4 target."

The Steelers lost 2024 starter Najee Harris in free agency to the Los Angeles Chargers. He had 223 carries for 1,043 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games in 2024. Jaylen Warren is the top running back currently on the roster and he had 120 carries for 511 yards and a touchdown in 2024.

Ashton Jeanty is rated as the top running back in the draft class by Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department, but he is likely to be a first-round pick. If the Steelers intend to use a middle-round pick, options include Kaleb Johnson, Dylan Sampson, Damien Martinez, Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson.

Regardless of who they take, it looks like the Steelers will have a new, developmental back to pair with Warren as they look to contend in a strong AFC North division.

The 2025 NFL draft is set for April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The Pittsburgh Steelers added Iowa S Sebastian Castro as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL draft.

Sebastian Castro is a tough, run-first safety with versatility who can play multiple spots within Iowa's defense. Primarily functioning in the box and as a nickel defender, Castro brings a high football IQ and physicality to the field. With his hands-on approach, he excels at shedding blocks to get to the ball, making him a valuable asset in run defense.

Castro is at his best in run support, triggering quickly downhill and consistently taking good angles to the ball. His high motor and physicality allow him to confidently take on blockers, using his hands well to shed them and disrupt plays. However, his aggressive play-style can occasionally backfire, as he may overrun ball-carriers or bite on play fakes, compromising his positioning. He is best when flowing to the ball in the open field, but his lack of athleticism can show up in close quarters.

Castro is reliable but limited in coverage. His footwork is clean, and he can drive on the ball with above-average feet and hips. However, he lacks the elite acceleration and twitch required for man-to-man coverage on an island, making him more suited for zone or underneath responsibilities. His ball skills are solid, showing good timing and the ability to play the ball in the air. His tendency to be heavy-footed can result in separation against quicker players, especially in change-of-direction scenarios.

Sebastian Castro projects as a mid-round pick with the potential to be a high-level backup or rotational safety in the NFL. His strengths in run defense, versatility, and football IQ make him a valuable piece in defensive schemes that prioritize physicality and box play. While he will need to refine his coverage abilities, particularly in man-to-man situations, Castro has the tools to contribute on defense and special teams.

MEASUREMENTS

HEIGHT: 5'11"

WEIGHT: 205

40-YARD DASH: 4.59

VERTICAL: 30½"

BROAD: 9'9"

SHUTTLE: 4.34

POSITIVES

— Stout run-first defender who isn't afraid to bang around with offensive linemen. Castro aligns all over the field for the Hawkeye defense, primarily in the box and at the nickel spot.

— High-motor player with tenacity to get to the ball who triggers extremely quickly to the run. Comes screaming downhill looking for contact, closing in with good angles.

— Lacks elite twitch, but his footwork in coverage is clean, showing above-average feet and hips to drive on the ball. He may take some time to get going, but has good speed in the open field.

— Showcases ball skills and timing necessary to play the ball and receivers when the ball is in the air.

NEGATIVES

— He can be heavy-footed at times, leading to slower change of direction and separation in coverage. This also shows itself in the run game, where he may lose leverage and overrun the ball-carrier.

— His aggressiveness can get him in trouble with play fakes. He can't afford to give up his leverage and cushion in coverage.

— Once Castro gets to his initial drop, he may lose sight of his threats and struggle to find the play.

NOTES

— Born Oct. 14, 2000

— Games Started: 30

— 3-Star recruit in the 2019 class, per 247Sports

— 2024 Fourth Team All-America; Second Team All-Big Ten

— 2023 Second-Team All-Big Ten

GRADE: 7.1 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 108

POSITION RANK: S11

PRO COMPARISON: Adrian Amos

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

Colorado's Shedeur Sanders met with the Pittsburgh Steelers last week as the NFL Draft nears.

Reflecting on the visit, Sanders said his favorite part was getting to meet with a legendary head coach in Mike Tomlin.

"I would say it was sitting down with Coach Tomlin," Sanders said on his podcast, 2Legendary with Shedeur Sanders (7:10 mark). "Understanding what he did, his impact in the league and being able to meet him in person, it was extremely cool for me... He was just talking to me straight up like a man, and I appreciate his perspective of things and what's going on overall."

While it seems like the visit was a success, the Steelers might not end up getting the chance to draft Sanders next week. Pittsburgh has the 21st pick and it's likely Sanders will have been picked up by then.

Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department projects the New Orleans Saints to trade up and draft Sanders with the sixth pick. Considering the Steelers still don't have a starting quarterback for the 2025 season, they might be willing to trade up to have a better chance of picking Sanders, but it would likely take a big haul.

One of the top quarterbacks in this year's NFL Draft had a visit with a quarterback-needy team this week.

Colorado's Shedeur Sanders met with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was impressed by the visit. He even said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reminds him of his father and coach, Deion Sanders.

"The Steelers was great," he told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. "I understand why they win so much and why [Tomlin] is the way he is. He resembles dad a little bit, they have the same principles."

Any player that wants to win would likely have no problem playing under Tomlin. The veteran is the second-winningest active head coach and has led Pittsburgh to a pair of Super Bowl appearances, winning it all in 2008.

The Steelers and Sanders could be a good match, but he might not be available for them to draft since Pittsburgh has the 21st pick. They could always try to trade up for him if they think he could be their next franchise quarterback.

Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department projects Sanders to go to the New Orleans Saints at No. 9.

As the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to wait for a decision from Aaron Rodgers, there's a bit of an uneasy feeling within the organization right now.

One league source told NFL insider Josina Anderson that the vibe around the Steelers feels "a little weird" because no one is sure of who their quarterback is going to be in 2025.

The person did add there isn't "any panic" from the Steelers, but "the current QB depth says what it says."

Rodgers and the Steelers had a six-hour meeting on March 21 that ended with him leaving their facility without signing a contract. There has been no indication in the subsequent three weeks that a potential deal is close to happening.

One theory being speculated about is that Rodgers wants to wait until after the first round of the draft to see if Pittsburgh selects a quarterback because he may not want to be in a situation where the organization could replace him with a rookie for whatever reason.

It's a little hard to support that idea since Rodgers reportedly told the Minnesota Vikings earlier in the offseason they are his preferred landing spot, even though they just drafted J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick in 2024.

The Athletic's Michael Silver, Dianna Russini and Alec Lewis reported on March 15 it was "possible" that Rodgers could opt to retire rather than join the Steelers or New York Giants.

That was at a point when the Giants were still in on Rodgers, but they pivoted by bringing in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston a short time later.

Another dilemma created by the idea that Rodgers wants to wait until after the first round of the draft to see what the Steelers do is they might feel forced to take a quarterback if they don't have assurance he will sign with them.

The Steelers have reportedly looked at five or six different quarterbacks in the pre-draft process, including hosting Mississippi's Jaxson Dart on a visit last week.

There's little doubt the Steelers will address the quarterback spot before offseason activities begin. Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson are the only signal-callers they have under contract.

Even though Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has said he is "comfortable" with Rudolph entering the season as the starter, the organization would probably feel better if they had someone else on the roster at least capable of competing for that spot.

Should the Pittsburgh Steelers land quarterback Aaron Rodgers before the 2025 NFL draft, it may not preclude them from using a draft pick on the position as well, according to ESPN's Jordan Reid.

"Even with Rodgers expected to eventually sign with Pittsburgh, the Steelers are in the market for a quarterback early in the draft," Reid reported. "The DK Metcalf trade left them with only two picks in the first three rounds, and they are expected to spend one of those on a young quarterback."

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported Sunday the Steelers are pretty much Rodgers' only option if he wants to keep playing in 2025.

Breaking down the #Titans #Browns and #Giants options coming out of the pro day circuit, via @JayHarrisESPN on @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/LxPzc5tWqL

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 6, 2025

To this point, Pittburgh hasn't pressed the issue with the four-time MVP. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said Wednesday that might be changing with the team bringing in Colorado's Shedeur Sanders for a predraft visit.

From @GMFB: Shedeur Sanders is set to visit the #Steelers. What does it mean for him and what does it mean for Aaron Rodgers? pic.twitter.com/XW38D5Klo5

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 9, 2025

Assuming Rodgers commits to the Steelers, it would clearly be a short-term solution for their QB situation. He turns 42 in December and it's tough now to count the number of offseasons in which he has seemingly waffled on his future.

The fact Pittsburgh is even pursuing him is a reflection of the franchise's inability to find a true successor to Ben Roethlisberger. It whiffed on Kenny Pickett and apparently wasn't convinced enough by Justin Fields in his six starts last season.

Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward are generally considered the two best quarterbacks in the 2025 draft class by some distance. They're the only two who crack the top 50 in Bleacher Report's 2025 big board.

If the Steelers were to reach for Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, Alabama's Jalen Milroe or Texas' Quinn Ewers with the 21st overall pick, however, a lot of fans in the Steel City would probably see echoes of Pickett in 2022.

Any of those players could theoretically be a permanent successor to Rodgers, but it's also easy to envision Pittsburgh having to start all over again in three or four years.

Free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers won't be making a personal appearance at Wednesday's event in Pittsburgh hosted by ESPN's Pat McAfee.

McAfee confirmed on Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger (via Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio) that Rodgers "is not on the docket."

The four-time MVP is a regular guest on McAfee's show and has used the platform to break news about his playing career in the past.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday the Steelers "remain optimistic" about landing Rodgers. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network followed up Monday to report there was some "positive momentum" toward a deal and that "the specter of retirement—possible retirement—doesn't seem likely."

From @GMFB: As we wait for Aaron Rodgers... what's the latest? pic.twitter.com/pTfCHO69oS

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 7, 2025

Announcing an agreement with the Steelers, or at the very least saying he intends to sign with the team, at McAfee's "Big Night Aht" show would certainly be a way for Rodgers to ingratiate himself toward fans.

Even for those who aren't attending the event, finally having a resolution would've been welcome news.

Alas, that doesn't appear to be happening.

There's still no timeline for when the 41-year-old will make up his mind. The continued absence of a contract is a little surprising if only because his market looks pretty static.

Fowler reported the likelihood of Rodgers joining the Minnesota Vikings is "all but dead" for the time being, adding that Pittsburgh is effectively the only team in the running.

The longer this drags on, the more it will look like Rodgers only signed with the Steelers out of necessity if that comes to pass.

As rumors continue to swirl about Aaron Rodgers potentially joining the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, the AFC North team is reportedly bringing in Shedeur Sanders for a visit as it looks ahead to the 2025 NFL draft.

Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported Tuesday the plan is to bring the Colorado signal-caller in for a visit, while Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette noted the meeting will be Thursday.

There has been some speculation Sanders could slide later than expected in the first round of the draft, which is what the Steelers would need barring a trade if they were going to select him.

After all, they have the No. 21 overall pick and sit behind a number of teams that could use stability under center.

Pittsburgh is now one of those teams as well with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields no longer on the roster. The depth chart for now is Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson, and the team will likely need to add someone else at the position if it is going to realistically compete in a division with Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow.

At this point, it still seems like that someone will be Rodgers.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday, "I'm told from the Steelers they do remain optimistic, but nothing has changed from when Art Rooney, team president, addressed the media at the owners meetings on Tuesday that they feel good about this shaking out that Rodgers will be a Pittsburgh Steeler."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also said Monday he would be "very surprised if it wasn't the Steelers if he plays, but I have not 100 percent been able to nail down if he's absolutely, definitely playing."

"I would say the Vikings are as out as they could be right now on Aaron Rodgers..

I'd be very surprised if he waited until after the draft..

I'd be very surprised if it wasn't the Steelers but I haven't been able to nail down if he's for sure playing" ~ @RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/orrGEjjikW

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 7, 2025

Yet the Steelers will need some type of backup plan until Rodgers eliminates the uncertainty and officially signs with them. Given that reality, it comes as no surprise that they are doing their due diligence with the draft approaching.

A more realistic scenario for Pittsburgh may be drafting one of the secondary quarterbacks behind Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward in the later rounds and focusing elsewhere with the No. 21 overall pick.

After all, B/R's NFL Scouting Department projected Ward (No. 1 overall) and Sanders (No. 9 overall) to be well off the board by the time the Steelers select in its most recent mock draft.

But that isn't stopping the team from meeting with Sanders while it can ahead of the draft.