Shedeur Sanders’ visit to Pittsburgh had all the makings of a classic Draft Day twist. We’re talking about the same guy who completed 74% of his passes, racked up 4,134 yards, and threw 37 touchdowns while leading Colorado to a 9-4 season. Easily one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2025 draft class, Sanders just wrapped up a trip with the Steelers. And who knows? He might be slipping right into Mike Tomlin’s territory at pick No. 21.

Remember when Shedeur was a top-3 lock? Well, things have shifted. His stock has been all over the place, and teams are taking a closer look. ESPN’s Mel Kiper still has him as QB2 on his latest Big Board, but no projection has him cracking the top five anymore. In fact, the latest mock sends him to the New Orleans Saints at No. 9. So, if he keeps slipping, Pittsburgh might not even have to trade up. And this is where things start to get interesting. 

Shedeur Sanders pulled up to Pittsburgh’s facility, and right after that visit, he hopped on the Up and Adams show to drop his take. Kay Adams posted the QB’s interview from Pittsburgh International Airport in an X post on April 10. “Talked to Shedeur Sanders just now. He just left the Steelers facility. He’s at the airport. Here’s everything you need to know,” she tweeted, adding the interview clip. And man, Shedeur was glowing—“I enjoyed my time here in Pittsburgh. I think I connected well with all the coaches and it was fun.” And that’s not even the real gem.

When asked what his biggest takeaway was, Shedeur Sanders dropped a dime on Mike Tomlin. “I understand the mindset of why they win a lot,” he said. “Just how he is as a person. The values that the team has. And what he preaches from his staff down, it’s similar to my dad.” That’s high praise. After all, when you’re comparing Tomlin’s culture to HoF Deion Sanders, you’re talking legacy leadership. And how did he rate the overall meeting? Easy. “It was a 10,” he said. 

Shedeur Sanders also said the best part about the meeting was just talking football and getting a feel for the vibe inside the building. You could tell it clicked for him. And there’s also a spicy bit. When asked about the idea of falling to the Steelers at No. 21, the 23-year-old didn’t flinch. “That’s on the people,” he said. “That’s in the other franchises that could make that mistake of letting me go there.” 

Same one he flashed on his Pro Day when he told ESPN—“Whatever franchise wants to change their franchise, then it’s no doubt who to go with. I’ve done it over and over and over. You’ll be a fool not to pick me.” Let’s not forget, Pittsburgh has been everywhere he’s been. Senior Bowl, NFL Combine, and now in the Steelers’ territory. They’re clearly keeping close tabs. But wait, it gets even more interesting. 

Shedeur Sanders gets a Joe Burrow comparison 

On the Rich Eisen Show, Shedeur Sanders’ trainer, Darrell Colbert Jr., the same guy who trained Cam Ward, said the quiet part out loud. Shedeur reminds him of Joe Burrow. Yeah, that 2020 No. 1 overall pick who boasts a lucrative five-year, $275 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. “Last year, when I was trying to kind of figure out who fit who Shedeur was, I think Joe Burrow’s a great fit,” the trainer said.

“Just the way Joe Burrow was always confident, always calm, like Shedeur is always this.” The parallels hit. Joe Burrow had to operate behind a shaky O-line, kept getting sacked, and still made plays. That’s Shedeur’s whole deal—under pressure, stay composed, hit your guy. 

As Colbert said, “I think the comparison really works is the year that and [Cincinnati] went to the Super Bowl; he was the most-sacked quarterback in the NFL and was still productive. That’s who Shedeur was.” Sure, Joe Burrow’s got the better arm, but both guys live off that accuracy, processing, and that calm and lethal confidence. It’s a bold comp, no doubt, but not totally off base. 

Anyhow, Shedeur Sanders has the tools, the mindset, and now, maybe even the perfect NFL home. If the other teams let him fall to Tomlin? Like he said, that’s on them.