Antonio Brown claims Jimmy Haslam broke secret draft to pick Shedeur Sanders (Image credits: IG/X) The NFL world is buzzing after Antonio Brown claimed Browns owner Jimmy Haslam broke a behind-the-scenes agreement not to draft quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The bombshell accusation comes amid growing speculation that Sanders’ surprising fall in the 2025 NFL Draft wasn’t just football-related. Despite a standout college season, the Colorado QB dropped deep into the draft pool, raising eyebrows across the league. Now, questions about a possible coordinated freeze-out are gaining serious traction.
Antonio Brown’s allegation sparks fresh NFL conspiracy talk
Brown, the former NFL star known for his drama-filled post-retirement life, alleged that Haslam defied a pact among NFL teams to avoid Shedeur. “Jimmy doesn’t want to publicly admit he broke the agreement between the 31 other teams,” Brown said, hinting at a secretive plan to pass over Sanders. As of now, the NFL has not commented on the claim, and no official record of such an agreement has surfaced.
Jimmy Haslam tries to cool the heat with a deflection
In a training camp media interaction on July 29, Haslam attempted to shift the spotlight away from himself, placing full responsibility on his general manager. “That’s Andrew Berry’s call,” Haslam stated. “Andrew made the call to pick Shedeur… that was Andrew’s call.” He also clarified that play-calling and starter decisions rest with head coach Kevin Stefanski. The public distancing has only intensified speculation about the nature of Shedeur’s selection.
Draft-Day slide leaves analysts searching for answers
Shedeur Sanders entered the 2025 draft with an elite NCAA résumé, yet somehow slipped past several quarterback-needy teams. With 4,134 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions on 477 attempts at a 74% completion rate, his performance spoke volumes. He also added four rushing touchdowns, though negative rushing yardage (-50) due to sacks became a talking point. Still, his raw stats make it hard to justify such a slide without other factors in play.
Deion Sanders’ influence may have complicated the picture
Analysts and fans alike are now questioning whether Shedeur’s draft journey was shaped more by politics than performance. Many believe the outspoken and unconventional coaching style of his father, Deion Sanders, may have turned some franchises off. From bold media statements to social media visibility, the elder Sanders has never shied away from the spotlight. Teams may have feared bringing that level of public attention and unpredictability into their locker rooms.Also read: She’s the brains”: Aaron Rodgers opens up on how his sister-in-law helped seal his $13.65M Pittsburgh Steelers deal