Shedeur Sanders' NFL Combine fallout reverses course in wake of 'arrogant' interview feedback
Shedeur Sanders continues to be a lightning rod for criticism and hot takes throughout the 2025 NFL Draft cycle. No one should be surprised, given his on-field confidence and how boisterous his father, Deion Sanders, was during their two-year stint together at Colorado. Colorado was far from perfect with the Sanders family at the helm, […]
Shedeur Sanders continues to be a lightning rod for criticism and hot takes throughout the 2025 NFL Draft cycle. No one should be surprised, given his on-field confidence and how boisterous his father, Deion Sanders, was during their two-year stint together at Colorado. Colorado was far from perfect with the Sanders family at the helm, but they revitalized the program from dormancy to being a cultural phenomenon.
As Shedeur moves from college to the NFL, teams are interested in knowing more about who he is as a professional and a person. His confidence was clear, and his production was impressive. His toughness and journey through college make him especially prone to questions about playing under a head coach who isn't his dad and whether he's ready to face the inevitable struggles that hit in the NFL.
The Combine brought some criticism for Sanders, who apparently came off as "arrogant" in one interview and was a bit nonchalant with two teams. For example, The Ringer's Todd McShay reported that two teams in the top 10 who want a QB thought Sanders "did not care too much what they or the organization felt of him."
It's possible that's true. Josina Anderson reported one scout from a team in the top seven picks found Sanders "brash" and "arrogant," even. However, Anderson took the other stance, highlighting that some individuals within these rooms have a bone to pick before they even meet Sanders, and those preconceived notions can be damaging.
According to league sources, said QB coach seems to have issue with “the culture” of athletes who have broad fame and financial success before entering the NFL, and in their* opinions, appears to them to have a problem certain athletes—I’ll leave it at that.
I talked to representatives within three of the four QB-needy teams that met with Sanders and have a pick in the top six selections. I heard the words "smart," "impressive," and "checked boxes" multiple times. Sanders moves with confidence, but he is also humble enough to recognize he's always improving.
This media compilation became an apt representation of his combine showing.
It's fitting that there were divisive takes on Sanders' personality in this cycle because his on-field evaluations have been scattered. Online evaluators are struggling to pinpoint his game, with some citing his high completion rate as a sign of being an ace in the quick-passing game. Others say he's not great at fast throws and likes to be too much of a playmaker.
The film shows him as a playmaker who will pass on easier throws that keep the offense moving. However, his accuracy and throwing ability best suit him as a system quarterback. He must find the right balance of those two skill sets to maximize his efficiency and impact.
Sanders doesn't have the strongest arm and is not the best athlete on the field. He is incredibly hard-working, though, and has the leadership to attract decision-makers. In the video above, Sanders talks about how Tom Brady's processing made him great, and that's what will ultimately determine whether he'll be a franchise quarterback.
The heels of the Combine have led to some wild mock draft falls. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had him going 29th to Cleveland. I asked one personnel member who was drafting well before then about that possibility, and he laughed, saying, "No chance on that."
Hayden Winks of Underdog Fantasy projected him to go ninth to New Orleans. I think that's his true floor range, with Seattle and Pittsburgh closely watching to trade up if Las Vegas and the New York Jets pass on Sanders. I've been told teams after the Giants are more on Jaxson Dart watch as they prepare for him to be the best available quarterback after the top few picks are made.
There have been some ups and downs for Sanders simply through the media game this offseason.
While it seems as though he's lost the battle to be QB1, I still expect him to come off the board to Cleveland at No. 2 overall.
