Emmanuel Sanders Stays for One Last Shot at his Potential with Pittsburgh Steelers

Both Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown need big seasons in 2013

After taking as much of the five days afforded to them as they possibly could, the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to match the $2.5 million restricted free agent tender that Emmanuel Sanders signed with the New England Patriots this week. Sanders will remain with the Steelers and immediately returns to his starting spot on offense.

Sanders’ career with the Steelers so far has been full of inconsistency. At times he has flashed the talent to be a true game-changing receiver, but he has also dealt with inconsistencies on the field, repeated injuries and a family bereavement that have all hurt his development on the field.

During his three-year career so far, the former SMU prospect has totaled just 94 receptions for 1,290 yards and five touchdowns with five fumbles. However, statistics tell you little about Sanders’ potential.

As a rookie, Sanders finished with just 28 receptions for 376 yards and two touchdowns. However, for much of the year he was inactive as both he and Antonio Brown battled for the final active roster spot. Mike Tomlin used that competition to try and better both players, while both contributed sporadically in the regular season. As the regular season developed however, it became more clear that Sanders was becoming a more important part of the offense than Brown.