Despite weeks of speculation and media buzz surrounding Shedeur Sanders, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers had already made up their minds well before the 2025 NFL Draft. With their sights set on a veteran presence under center,

"As the Pittsburgh Steelers passed on the opportunity to draft a quarterback early in the 2025 draft, they opted for Ohio State’s Will Howard in the sixth round, recognizing the need for a fallback if negotiations with veteran Aaron Rodgers fall through," Hadley wrote.

For a piece published late Sunday night, ESPN's Brooke Pryor made note of the Pittsburgh Steelers "passing on a quarterback four times before finally selecting 24-year-old developmental prospect Will Howard out of Ohio State in the sixth round" of the 2025 NFL Draft.