Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft weekend turned into a nightmare that few saw coming.
Once seen as a potential top-five pick, Sanders watched helplessly as his name slipped further down the board, round after painful round, until the Cleveland Browns finally called him at pick 144. The surprising fall has stirred up a fresh wave of finger-pointing, and now, none other than Tom Brady finds himself in the spotlight.
Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, entered the draft with high expectations after a standout college career at Colorado. Yet, as the draft dust settled, many fans and analysts began questioning how quickly things unraveled. One of the loudest voices belonged to sports commentator Skip Bayless, who claimed Brady may have quietly influenced Sanders’ draft fate.
Accusations Against Tom Brady Surface
Skip Bayless took to social media during the draft, writing, “It is now pretty clear Tom Brady- who mentored Shedeur- told the Raiders NOT to take Shedeur. Duly noted.” The comment quickly gained traction as the Las Vegas Raiders, a team Brady owns a minority stake in, repeatedly passed on Sanders despite their need for a young quarterback.
It is now pretty clear Tom Brady – who mentored Shedeur – told the Raiders NOT to take Shedeur. Duly noted.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 26, 2025
Brady’s connection to Sanders stretches back years. According to Daily Mail, the legendary quarterback mentored Sanders starting in 2020, with Brady even praising the young signal-caller during a 2023 episode of the “Let’s Go!” podcast. “I see someone who has a great work ethic but wants the knowledge too,” Brady said at the time, highlighting Sanders’ commitment to improving his craft.
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Despite that relationship, the Raiders went in a different direction, trading for veteran quarterback Geno Smith earlier in the offseason. They used their sixth overall pick on running back Ashton Jeanty and continued addressing other positions while Sanders remained on the board.
Reports leading up to the draft suggested Sanders’ stock was already slipping due to concerns about his demeanor during team interviews. Some anonymous team sources labeled him as “brash” and “arrogant” following the NFL Combine, raising additional doubts about his draft-day appeal.
Ultimately, Sanders’ painful slide ended in the fifth round when the Browns gave him a much-needed lifeline. His father, Deion Sanders, firmly believed his son deserved to be a top-five selection, making the outcome even tougher to swallow.
As speculation around Brady’s influence grows, it’s clear that Shedeur Sanders’ path to NFL stardom won’t be easy, and many will closely watch how he responds.
Also Read: Patrick Mahomes Had The Perfect 1-Word Reaction To Shedeur Sanders Going Undrafted
