Howard was the first quarterback the Steelers selected in the NFL draft since Kenny Pickett's class. In 2022, Tomlin's team picked Pickett in the first round and South Dakota State Jackrabbits signal-caller Chris Oladokun in the seventh round.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers wanted to get ‘big and physical’ in the 2025 NFL Draft, and they did just that. With seven selections, Pittsburgh ended up with three players on their defensive line, while trying to strengthen their special teams core in the later rounds.

Amid speculation, Mike Tomlin clarifies Pittsburgh’s draft strategy and reveals why Shedeur Sanders wasn’t their first-round choice.