Shedeur Sanders was widely believed to be on the Las Vegas Raiders’ draft board, and many expected him to land there. But when draft day came, the Raiders passed on him, not just once, but multiple times.
That raised eyebrows, especially since team minority owner Tom Brady, who has also mentored Shedeur in the past, had been heavily involved in big moves like signing Geno Smith and bringing in Pete Carroll as head coach.
Even though Brady claimed he had little to no role in the draft process, many didn’t take him at his word.
Analysts like Skip Bayless called BS, suggesting Brady was absolutely involved behind the scenes. Critics even claimed that Brady may have personally blocked the Raiders from picking Shedeur.
Pre-Draft Reports Labelled Shedeur as an Entitled “Brash” Kid
Ahead of the draft, whispers started circulating that Shedeur Sanders might not be the ideal locker room presence some teams were hoping for. Reports painted him as “brash,” with questions swirling about his attitude.
According to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, Sanders’ drop in the draft “is attributable to both flaws in his game and the brash attitude he displayed during the pre-draft process.” That perception reportedly rubbed some teams the wrong way.
Things got more intense when an anonymous assistant coach told NFL Network that Sanders had “the worst formal interview I’ve ever been in my life. He’s so entitled. He takes unnecessary sacks… He blames teammates… He makes you feel small.”
That kind of feedback doesn’t just disappear; it sticks. And while Sanders has undeniable talent, the combination of on-field concerns and how he carried himself off it seemed to make some front offices hesitant to take a chance on him in the first round.
Brady Prefers Culture Over Hype
Right after the draft, Tom Brady dropped a newsletter that raised even more questions about Shedeur Sanders’ snub. While he didn’t name names, the timing and tone spoke volumes. “An NFL franchise is like any other business or team: it wants to build a winning culture,” Brady wrote.
“That culture is defined by the organization’s internal values, which are reflected in their external priorities, which are executed through the decisions they make and the actions they take. In that way, a team’s draft picks and free agent signings are a window into its culture, for better and for worse.”
It sure sounded like a subtle jab at someone, and given the talk surrounding Shedeur’s attitude, it appeared like a not-so-veiled shot.
Brady has always prioritized team-first mindsets over flashy personalities. As such, Shedeur’s reported “entitled” behavior may have clashed with the culture Brady’s trying to build in Vegas. To Brady, it’s not just about talent, it’s about the right fit.
Brady Once Advised Shedeur Not to Focus On Flash
Even before the draft, Tom Brady wasn’t shy about calling out Shedeur Sanders. In a viral video, Shedeur’s dad and head coach, Deion Sanders, joked, “Do you think a college kid needs a Phantom, like a Rolls-Royce?”
Brady didn’t hold back: “I think he needs to get his a** in the film room & spend as much time in there as possible.”
Everyone laughed in the moment, but with Shedeur sliding to the fifth round, it hits differently now.
Brady doubled down, telling Shedeur to “get out of the car and get in the d**n film room.” Maybe next time, when the greatest quarterback ever gives advice, Shedeur might want to actually listen.
Shedeur Sanders Silenced Critics with Leadership in Cleveland
Since joining the Cleveland Browns, Shedeur Sanders has been turning heads, and not just for his on-field talent. Browns radio analyst Nathan Zegura appeared on The Maggie and Perloff Show and gave glowing praise for Shedeur:
“Shedeur’s looked good though. His ball placement is elite. His ability to layer throws is elite. I think he’s got plenty of arm strength, we’ve seen that on display certainly in camp at times.”
Zegura added, “There’s something about Shedeur. I got a chance to interview him. He is very confident but not in a cocky way, has a lot of belief in himself,” contradicting an earlier report that he’s so full of himself.
Also, Head Coach Kevin Stefanski called Sanders “a very, very impressive young man” and commended his professionalism. At the East-West Shrine Bowl, NFL staffers described him as eager, focused, and easy to work with.
The early signs suggest Tom Brady and the Raiders may have passed on a young leader in the making.
Also Read: Did Shedeur Sanders Graduate From College?
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