Leading up to the draft, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear that they plan to add two more quarterbacks before camp. Pittsburgh now has Howard, Mason Rudolph, and Skylar Thompson, but lacks a starter to rely on after making Howard the only quarterback they took in the draft.

The Pittsburgh Steelers waited until the sixth round to draft their quarterback, snapping up Ohio State’s Will Howard. But why did they wait so long and pass up players like Jalen Milroe, Shedeur Sanders, and others? Mike Tomlin explains that they like their plan at the spot, even though there is angst in the fan base.

Mike Tomlin has strongly defended one of the Pittsburgh Steelers' decisions in the 2025 NFL Draft after passing on Shedeur Sanders. Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers raised many eyebrows by passing on Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft,