Shedeur Sanders makes curious Steelers comment before 2025 NFL draft

New York Post - Apr 23rd, 2025
Open on New York Post

The Pittsburgh Steelers have emerged as the betting favorites to draft Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft. Sanders, son of Deion Sanders, hinted at a potential future with the Steelers during a conversation with Raiders' Maxx Crosby, expressing admiration for the team's wide receiver duo of DK Metcalf and George Pickens. The Steelers, needing a starting quarterback, have also been linked to Aaron Rodgers, suggesting a potential strategy of signing the veteran for immediate impact while preparing Sanders as a long-term franchise quarterback. Currently, the Steelers are +190 favorites according to FanDuel, with the Giants, Browns, and Saints also in contention.

The context of this development surrounds the broader NFL draft landscape, where several teams are seeking a franchise quarterback. With the Giants and Browns likely to pursue other top prospects, the Steelers may have the opportunity to select Sanders if he falls to their pick. The decision could hinge on whether Pittsburgh prioritizes immediate success with Rodgers or invests in Sanders' potential. The outcome will significantly impact the Steelers' roster strategy and the future of Sanders' career, as the draft unfolds with various teams assessing their quarterback options. The uncertainty surrounding Sanders' draft position reflects broader strategic maneuvers within the league as teams weigh their quarterback needs against available talent.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging exploration of Shedeur Sanders' potential draft prospects, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers as a likely destination. It effectively captures the speculative nature of draft predictions, appealing to NFL fans and bettors interested in team strategies and betting odds.

However, the article's reliance on speculative analysis and interpretations of Sanders' comments limits its factual accuracy and balance. While it accurately reports on current betting odds and public statements, it could benefit from more authoritative sources and a broader exploration of other teams' interests.

Overall, the article is well-written and engaging for its target audience, with room for improvement in sourcing, balance, and transparency to enhance its credibility and depth.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story provides a mostly accurate account of the current betting landscape and potential draft scenarios for Shedeur Sanders. It accurately reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers are the betting favorites to draft Sanders, as confirmed by FanDuel odds. Additionally, the story correctly notes Sanders' mention of quarterback-receiver duos, which includes the Steelers' setup, aligning with his conversation on Maxx Crosby's podcast.

However, there are areas that require further verification, such as the implication that Sanders is actively following betting odds or that his comments explicitly hint at a preference for the Steelers. These interpretations are speculative without direct confirmation from Sanders. The article also suggests a potential strategy involving Aaron Rodgers, which, while plausible, is not confirmed by any direct statements from the Steelers or Rodgers.

Overall, the story's factual basis is solid, but it leans heavily on speculative analysis of Sanders' comments and potential team strategies, which are not definitively supported by direct sources.

6
Balance

The article predominantly focuses on the possibility of Shedeur Sanders joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, with limited exploration of other teams that might draft him. While it mentions the Giants, Browns, and Saints as potential suitors, the narrative is heavily skewed towards the Steelers scenario.

This focus could suggest a bias or preference towards the Steelers, potentially omitting a more balanced view of other teams' interests or strategies. The article could benefit from a more comprehensive analysis of each team's quarterback needs and draft strategies, providing a wider range of perspectives.

By emphasizing the Steelers' position, the article may inadvertently downplay the complexities of the draft process and the interests of other teams, leading to an imbalance in viewpoint representation.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it relatively easy to follow. It presents the main claims and potential scenarios in a logical sequence, aiding reader comprehension.

However, the speculative nature of some claims could lead to confusion if readers are not familiar with the context or nuances of NFL draft strategies. The article could improve clarity by more explicitly distinguishing between confirmed facts and speculative analysis.

Overall, the article's clarity is good, but it could benefit from clearer demarcation of speculative content to prevent potential misinterpretations.

5
Source quality

The article relies on a mix of public statements, betting odds, and speculative analysis. While it uses credible sources like FanDuel for betting odds, the reliance on speculative interpretations of Sanders' comments and potential team strategies lacks direct attribution to authoritative sources.

The story would benefit from incorporating insights from team officials, NFL analysts, or insiders with firsthand knowledge of draft strategies and player preferences. This would enhance the credibility and depth of the analysis, moving beyond speculative interpretations.

Overall, the source quality is moderate, with room for improvement in sourcing more authoritative and direct insights to support the narrative.

6
Transparency

The article provides some context for its claims, such as referencing betting odds and Sanders' public statements. However, it lacks transparency in how it arrives at certain speculative conclusions, particularly regarding the Steelers' draft strategy and Sanders' preferences.

There is no clear explanation of the methodology behind the speculative analysis, nor are there disclosures about potential conflicts of interest that might affect the article's impartiality. Greater transparency about the basis for speculative claims would improve the article's credibility.

While the article is partially transparent in its use of sources, it could benefit from clearer disclosures about the speculative nature of some of its claims and the reasoning behind them.

Sources

  1. https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-2025-nfl-mock-draft-4-0-steelers-land-shedeur-sanders-cowboys-broncos-select-rbs
  2. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25189409-shedeur-sanders-talks-giants-steelers-saints-qb-wr-duos-amid-2025-nfl-draft-rumors
  3. https://en.as.com/nfl/steelers-reveal-shedeur-sanders-intentions-n/
  4. https://www.instagram.com/p/DIxE4_5Rm_j/
  5. https://steelersdepot.com/2025/04/shedeur-sanders-falling-to-no-21-completely-wipes-out-steelers-draft-plan-believes-insider/