Shedeur Sanders, who was unexpectedly selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, received encouragement from Tom Brady, a legendary quarterback who knows a thing or two about overcoming draft day disappointments. In a recent episode of “The Art of Dialogue” podcast, Brady, who was famously chosen with the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, shared insights about Sanders’ situation, emphasizing that falling in the draft should not dissuade him.
Brady, also a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and involved in their football operations, clarified that he had no involvement in the evaluation process which led to Sanders’ selection. Responding to comments from media pundit Skip Bayless, Brady criticized such speculation, stating, “That’s the problem with media is everyone can just say whatever the f*** they want.”
Despite his connection to Sanders—having known him since high school through his father, Deion Sanders—Brady’s Raiders opted to trade for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith instead of drafting his mentee. This decision remained intriguing as Smith, at 34 years old, was considered a short-term solution, while they chose to bolster their roster with a star running back, Ashton Jeanty, instead of selecting Sanders, who was widely expected to go much earlier in the draft.
Ultimately, Sanders was drafted by the Cleveland Browns at pick 144, where he will face stiff competition as the team already has established quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Joe Flacco, among others.
Brady reached out to Sanders post-draft, advising him to view this as a fresh start and to embrace the challenges ahead. He reminisced about his own journey, saying, “Day two matters more than the draft… Use it as motivation. You’re gonna get your chances. Go take advantage of it.”
While Sanders’ path may seem challenging, it echoes Brady’s early career hurdles, showcasing that determination and resilience can lead to success, regardless of draft position. This sentiment underscores the notion that a humble beginning can lead to greatness, inspiring Sanders to carve out his own legacy in the NFL.