Op-Ed: Shedeur Sanders is Turning Heads, But Some Are Pushing a Different Narrative originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Shedeur Sanders isn’t just another rookie. He’s the most scrutinized fifth-round pick in NFL history, and the coverage he’s receiving from the national media is nothing short of embarrassing.
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Since his selection by the Cleveland Browns at No. 144 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders has been the subject of hot takes and recycled quarterback nonsense. Worst of all, one comment from ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi claiming Sanders “may not make it out of camp” has ignited many misinformed narratives.
Let’s be clear here, Sanders is not a typical QB4 in any real sense. The Browns’ quarterback system doesn’t stack players on a ladder, but rather pairs them in development groups. Sanders shares a pod with Joe Flacco, who at 40 comes in with a diminishing arm.
However, there are no locks for the 53-man. This is true across the board. Sanders was in a pro-style system under his father, Deion Sanders, for his entire career. Being able to throw with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning says a lot about his development. Not to mention, Pat Shurmur has given him next-level instruction.
The numbers back up his NFL potential. In 2024, Sanders completed 74.3% of his passes for 4,137 yards, 37 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions, all while being sacked 43 times. That’s not just efficient, it’s elite production under duress. In fact, Sanders’ adjusted QB rating of 168.2 placed him in the top 10 nationally, ahead of several first and second-round picks.
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So why are analysts acting like he’s a camp body?
Let’s call it lazy reporting. Rather than analyze tape or attend OTAs, some beat writers rely on draft position and outdated depth chart logic. It’s the equivalent of saying Brock Purdy didn’t deserve a roster spot because he was “Mr. Irrelevant.” It’s a failure to mentally adjust to the modern quarterback competition.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12).Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has already dismissed the significance of draft position. “Once they walk in the building, nobody cares. Players don’t care. Coaches don’t care,” he said.
Oyefusi’s quote, “Unless he completely outplays the competition, Sanders may not make it out of camp,” continues to circulate. This kind of clickbait analysis has consequences. It drowns out real stories before they’ve taken a snap.
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Fans should know better. We’ve all watched Shedeur develop to be one of college football’s most polished passers. Now, national media outlets are underestimating him. Not because of what he has shown, but because they haven’t done their homework.
This isn’t just bad journalism, but irresponsible.
It’s time the media covering the Browns give Sanders the professional coverage he’s earned, or make way for those who will.
Related: Deion Sanders Addresses Shedeur’s Painful NFL Draft Slide
Related: Deion Sanders Ends Beef With Former NFL Player
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.