An unforeseen factor—completely out of the Pittsburgh Steelers' control—may have just hijacked their 2025 NFL Draft strategy.
The speculation that one of the top QB prospects, Shedeur Sanders, dropping into the Pittsburgh Steelers' laps with the 21st overall pick has been gaining traction over the past week—but a recent injury development on Saints QB Derek Carr may have thrown a wrench in the Black and Gold draft plans.
According to insider Ian Rapoport, Carr is dealing with a "significant shoulder injury," with surgery existing as a potential solution—causing the Saints to be without Carr for the 2025 season.
Rapoport acknowledged that this new information will likely factor into New Orleans' draft plans:
"We also know that heading into the NFL Draft, where the Saints pick No. 9, there is now a major, major question about their quarterback need in the first round—or certainly early."
This breaking news almost certainly ends any hope of Sanders dropping to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft—but maybe that is for the best, as it forces GM Omar Khan and HC Mike Tomlin to focus on fixing the defensive line. Regardless of how the draft plays out, here's to a speedy recovery for Carr.
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: The #Saints now have a major QB question thanks to Derek Carr's shoulder injury. pic.twitter.com/0set0CmlAb
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 11, 2025
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Derek Carr's injury could stop Steelers from drafting Shedeur Sanders
