Shedeur Sanders reveals how Mike Tomlin 'resembles' father Deion after Steelers visit

While visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, Shedeur Sanders got to spend some time with head coach Mike Tomlin ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. The former Colorado star came away impressed – and he sees some similarities to his dad, Deion.

Tomlin’s track record in Pittsburgh is well-known. Since taking over the franchise in 2007, he does not have a losing record as head coach, amassing a 183-107-2 record in that time and leading the Steelers to a Super Bowl XLIII title in 2008.

Tomlin is one of the NFL’s most well-respected coaches, and Sanders saw first-hand how his mentality translates to the rest of the Steelers. But there were also parallels to Coach Prime at Colorado that stood out.

“The Steelers were great,” Sanders said on NFL Network’s The Insiders with Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport. “I understand now. I understand why they win so much, why Coach is the way how he is. He resembles Dad a little bit. They have the same principles.”

Sanders previously pointed out the similarities he saw between Tomlin and his father during an appearance on Up and Adams with Kay Adams. He said the biggest takeaway from his visit with the Steelers is the mentality Tomlin brings and how it translates to the rest of the staff to create a winning culture. With that, he saw some Deion Sanders.

“Understanding the mindset of why they win a lot,” Shedeur Sanders said. “… Just how he is as a person with the value that the team has and what he’s preaching from his staff down is similar to my dad.”

Sanders put together a standout senior season at Colorado in 2024, leading the nation with a 74% completion percentage. He also totaled 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns while leading the Buffaloes to a bowl game as part of an impressive turnaround under Coach Prime, finishing 8-4 while making the Alamo Bowl.

Sanders’ draft stock is shaping up to be an interesting discussion in the lead-up to Draft Day later this month. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked him as the No. 1 quarterback on the board in his latest Big Board, but projected the former Colorado star to go No. 9 overall to the New Orleans Saints in his 2025 NFL Mock Draft 4.0.

If he falls out of the Top 10, though, Sanders could wind up dropping to Pittsburgh with the No. 21 overall pick. Of course, the Steelers are also squarely in the mix to sign free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Although a decision is still looming, chatter continues to grow about a deal between the two sides.