Shedeur Sanders Responds Sharply to Questions About Remaining Backup After Gabriel Named Starter
Shedeur Sanders, the talented quarterback for the team, has reacted strongly to questions surrounding his role as a backup, despite his strong performance in practice and competition for the starting position. After Gabriel was chosen as the starting quarterback, Sanders voiced his frustration in a candid and pointed interview, sparking significant media attention.
“I don’t get it,” Sanders said when asked about not being named the starter. “I’ve worked my ass off, and I’ve shown what I’m capable of. But here I am, still sitting behind someone else. It’s frustrating. I don’t think the decision reflects my effort or what I bring to the team.”
The decision to start Gabriel over Sanders has raised eyebrows, as many observers have been impressed by Sanders’ poise and leadership abilities. However, head coach’s decision to go with Gabriel has left Sanders feeling overlooked, and his sharp response in the interview reflected his disappointment with the situation.
“I’m not here to just sit around and watch,” Sanders continued. “I want to play. I want to prove I can lead this team. If they want to keep me as the backup, that’s their choice, but it’s not going to stop me from pushing myself and pushing the guys around me.”
While Sanders' frustration is understandable given his ambitions, the team's decision has not been explained in full detail. However, the young quarterback remains determined to prove that he deserves the starting role, regardless of the current situation.
“It’s all about the opportunity to prove myself,” Sanders concluded. “I’m ready when my number is called. I’ll be ready to show what I can do, and I won’t stop fighting for that starting spot.”
As the season progresses, Sanders will likely continue to keep his eye on the starting job, determined to prove that he has what it takes to lead the team when given the chance.
Steelers Lose 2nd Player to Practice Squad Poaching in 8 Days
Veteran linebacker Jon Rhattigan made his Pittsburgh Steelers debut during Week 2 as a practice squad elevation. That now appears likely to be the only time he will play in black and gold.
The linebacker’s agency, JL Sports, announced Tuesday night that the Las Vegas Raiders have signed Rhattigan off the Steelers practice squad.
This is the second time in eight days the Steelers have lost a defender on their practice squad via another team signing the player to their active roster. On September 30, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed undrafted rookie safety Sebastian Castro from the Steelers practice squad.
Rhattigan joined the Steelers after training camp but before Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. The linebacker spent the offseason and most of August with the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers released Rhattigan on August 26 as part of their final roster cuts.
In his lone appearance for the Steelers, Rhattigan played six special teams snaps. He didn’t play on defense.
The Raiders added the veteran linebacker ahead of a home matchup against the Tennessee Titans in Week 6. The Steelers will play the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Steelers Lose LB Jon Rhattigan to Raiders
The fact Pittsburgh’s practice squad players are worthy of consideration for active roster spots on other teams is a great sign. That speaks to the strong depth the Steelers have built this season.
But the end result is losing that depth. The Steelers have now lost a potential up-and-coming safety and veteran linebacker/special teams contributor in about a week’s span.
Rhattigan began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent in 2021. The linebacker signed with the Seattle Seahawks. As a rookie, he appeared in 14 games for the Seahawks, posting 10 combined tackles and a fumble recovery.
Rhattigan has never started an NFL game. But over three seasons in Seattle, he dressed for 36 games. Rhattigan then played 16 contests for the Panthers in 2024.
In 53 games overall, he has posted 44 combined tackles. Of the 1,044 snaps he’s taken in the NFL, 1,024 of them have come on special teams.
Rhattigan played a career-high 19 defensive snaps in Seattle during 2023.
In Las Vegas, Rhattigan will reunite with Pete Carroll. His first NFL coach, Carroll coached the linebacker with the Seahawks from 2021-23.
Steelers LB Depth Without Rhattigan
Mike Tomlin’s club has a healthy complement of linebackers on the active roster. Patrick Queen is their leader of the group while Payton Wilson and Cole Holcomb have split opportunities the past couple weeks.
Day 3 rookie Carson Bruener is also on the team’s active roster.
So linebacker practice squad depth isn’t necessarily a major need for the Steelers right now. However, the team suffered a significant practice squad setback at linebacker Tuesday.
A few hours prior to losing Rhattigan, the Steelers announced waiving linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley from the practice squad. Essentially, the team lost two practice squad linebackers Tuesday.
The Steelers signed running back Raheem Blackshear in place of Bentley.
Without Rhattigan, the team now has an open practice squad spot. It will be interesting to see if Tomlin and his staff use it to bring back Bentley.
An eight-year veteran, Bentley won the Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in 2018. He has posted 509 combined tackles, including 21 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in 83 NFL games.
