The NFL Draft is a wild ride—full of dreams, drama, and sometimes a dose of cold reality. For Shedeur Sanders, the 2025 draft was a humbling gut-punch. Pegged as a potential top-five pick, the Colorado quarterback slid all the way to the fifth round, where the Cleveland Browns scooped him up at No. 144. As fans and analysts scrambled to make sense of the fall, an old clip of Tom Brady dishing out some tough love to Sanders resurfaced, and it’s got everyone talking. The seven-time Super Bowl champ’s words—urging Shedeur to ditch the flashy lifestyle and grind in the film room—feel like they were tailor-made for this moment. Let’s break down what happened, why Brady’s advice hits harder now, and what’s next for Sanders as he steps into the NFL spotlight.
Back in 2023, Shedeur and his dad, NFL legend Deion Sanders, hopped on Brady’s “Let’s Go!” podcast. Deion, never one to shy away from a big moment, put Brady on the spot, asking if a college kid like Shedeur really needed a Rolls-Royce Cullinan—a $400,000 whip that screams “I’ve arrived.” Brady didn’t miss a beat. “I think he needs to get his ass in the film room and spend as much time in there as possible,” he said, half-joking but dead serious. “Less time in the car and more time in the film room.” Shedeur, quick to clap back, pointed out that Brady had been spotted in a Rolls-Royce himself. “That was just a rental,” Brady fired back with a grin. “I had a few bucks in my pocket at that point.” The exchange was lighthearted, but Brady’s message was clear: talent’s great, but the grind is what makes you a legend.
Fast forward to last week’s draft, and that clip’s gone viral for a reason. Sanders’ slide wasn’t just a surprise—it was a seismic shock. Coming off a college career where he threw for 3,926 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2024, Shedeur was the talk of Boulder, leading Colorado to a 9-3 record and earning buzz as a Heisman contender. His arm talent, poise, and knack for big moments—like a 98-yard game-tying drive against Colorado State that he called “Brady mode”—had scouts drooling. Add in his $6.5 million in NIL deals, and Shedeur was living large, flexing a $350,000 watch, a “Legendary” chain, and that Cullinan. But when draft day came, the NFL wasn’t buying the hype. Team after team passed, and by the time the Browns called his name, Sanders had tumbled from a projected $48.8 million first-round payday to a $4.6 million fifth-round deal. Ouch.
So, what went wrong? The chatter on X and across draft circles points to a mix of factors. On the field, some scouts knocked Sanders for holding the ball too long, struggling with coverage reads, and lacking elite arm strength. His college tape, while impressive, came in a Colorado offense tailored to his strengths, with Heisman winner Travis Hunter as his go-to weapon. Off the field, things got messier. Reports swirled about rocky pre-draft interviews, with some teams—like the Giants—calling Sanders “unprepared” or “entitled.” One NFL assistant even labeled his formal interview “the worst I’ve ever been in.” Ouch again. Then there’s the Deion factor. While Coach Prime’s larger-than-life presence opened doors for Shedeur, some teams worried about his influence, wondering if Shedeur’s career had been too carefully curated by his dad. Playing only for Deion—at Jackson State and Colorado—raised questions about how he’d handle a new coach or system.
Brady’s advice from that podcast feels prophetic now. The NFL doesn’t care about your NIL millions or your Instagram flexes—it cares about your work ethic and how you handle adversity. Brady, a sixth-round pick himself in 2000, knows that better than anyone. He turned pick No. 199 into a 23-year career, seven rings, and GOAT status by living in the film room and outworking everyone. When Shedeur’s Cullinan got booted by campus police in 2023, Brady’s words echoed in the headlines. And when Shedeur skipped Shrine Bowl practices and combine drills, banking on his status as a first-round lock, it may have sent the wrong message to teams already skeptical about his focus.
The irony? Brady’s been more than just a voice of wisdom for Shedeur—he’s been a mentor. The two worked out together in 2020, when Shedeur was still in high school, and Brady’s been in his corner ever since. “I’m so proud of him, watching him grow and mature,” Brady said on the podcast. “He’s embraced the expectations.” Shedeur’s even leaned on Brady’s example, texting him after big games and channeling “Brady mode” in clutch moments. But the draft slide sparked wild speculation, with some—like Skip Bayless—claiming Brady, a minority owner of the Raiders, tanked Shedeur’s stock by telling Las Vegas to pass. That’s nonsense. Sources close to Brady shot it down, saying he has “limited say” in draft decisions and thinks Bayless is “an idiot” for the take. Still, the Raiders’ decision to grab a running back and trade for Geno Smith instead of Shedeur fueled the fire.
Now, Shedeur’s in Cleveland, and it’s a golden opportunity wrapped in a challenge. The Browns’ QB room is a crowded mess—Joe Flacco’s 40 and fading, Deshaun Watson’s out for 2025 with an injury, Kenny Pickett’s still finding his way, and rookie Dillon Gabriel’s in the mix. But Cleveland’s got a top-tier defense and a coaching staff that can develop talent. If Shedeur locks in, he could compete for the starting job sooner than later. Michael Strahan, who watched the draft with Brady, relayed TB12’s take: “It doesn’t matter when you’re picked.” Strahan added, “He’s on a team where he has a shot to make a difference. I think he’s gonna be a great player.” That’s high praise, and it lines up with Brady’s own path—draft position’s just a number if you’ve got the heart to back it up.
For Browns fans, Shedeur’s a wildcard worth rooting for. His college stats—14,527 yards, 127 touchdowns, and a 69.3% completion rate over four years—show he’s got the tools. His swagger, honed under Deion’s spotlight, could light up a franchise that’s cycled through 40 starting QBs since 1999. But the AFC North is a gauntlet, with Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson setting the bar sky-high. To compete, Shedeur needs to channel Brady’s film-room obsession and tune out the noise—whether it’s critics, prank calls (like the one from a Falcons coach’s kid during the draft), or the lure of his own hype.
The draft fall stings, no doubt. Going from a projected $48.8 million to $4.6 million over four years is a financial hit, especially for a guy used to NIL riches. But Sanders handled it with class, telling reporters, “I don’t feed into negativity.” He showed up early to Browns HQ, ready to work. If he takes Brady’s advice to heart—less time flexing, more time grinding—he’s got a shot to flip this script. Just look at Brady, or even Kirk Cousins and Dak Prescott, fourth-rounders who became stars. The chip on Shedeur’s shoulder could be his superpower, just like it was for TB12.
As Cleveland gears up for 2025, all eyes are on Shedeur. Can he rise above the doubters, the draft snubs, and the crowded QB room to claim the starting gig? Brady’s betting on him, and so are a lot of Browns fans. One thing’s for sure: the kid who once dreamed of Rolls-Royces now has a bigger dream—to prove he’s more than a name, more than a slide, and maybe, just maybe, the next great QB. Time to hit the film room, Shedeur. The NFL’s watching.
