Ben Roethlisberger appears to take shot at Shedeur Sanders during Will Howard compliment

Ben Roethlisberger may have let a stray fly in the direction of Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders recently. In a recent appearance on Sports Spectrum, the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback addressed how he believes NIL in college sports is affecting the mindset of players entering their NFL careers.

Roethlisberger argued that with some players already used to high-dollar contracts before they even reach the pros, passion for the game has been lost. He brought up Steelers sixth-round pick Will Howard, saying he would rather take a chance on a player like that. Although he didn’t directly mention Sanders by name, it could certainly be inferred from the comparison he made.

“I think what NIL is doing is taking the love of the game away,” Roethlisberger said. “When guys come to the league and now as I’m looking at this player, Player A to Player B, I might go with Player B that maybe isn’t as good but has the heart, the desire and the love for the game over Player A, who might be a little bit better, but they don’t feel like (they have) a love of the game.

“For instance, the Steelers took Will Howard this year, qyarterback, Ohio State, national champion. He gets drafted sixth round and tears pouring down his face… his dream of playing in the NFL. At least he has a chance. Doesn’t mean he’s going to make it; sixth round, but he’s excited about it. You watch other guys, and they get drafted and are like, ‘let’s throw a party. Let’s have cameras,’ I’m not trying to bash any one person. But you just see the difference sometimes in the love of the game.” 

Sanders, of course, was projected as a potential first-round draft pick who ended up falling to the fifth round. He was also one of the highest NIL earners in college football this past season while playing for his father, Deion Sanders, at Colorado.

Shedeur Sanders was seen partying after being selected and pictured with a briefcase full of cash. There’s certainly nothing wrong with enjoying the moment, but some viewed it as him not taking the fall in the draft seriously or focusing on improving his game.

Time will tell whether Sanders or Howard turn out to be starter-worthy players in the NFL. Both enter teams with veteran quarterbacks and should have to opportunity to develop over the next season before getting their shot.