The backlash against Shedeur Sanders isn’t letting up. The CU QB has been under fire for weeks, with nonstop criticism about his NFL future and rumors of a potential draft-day slide. But he didn’t help his case—choosing not to throw at the Combine only added fuel to the fire. And now, every sports show and social media platform is buzzing with hot takes about the 23-year-old. However, just when it seemed like things couldn’t get worse, a CBS insider has now exposed what could be the biggest career blunder of his journey so far.

In a recent episode of NFL on CBS, Ryan Wilson, Josh Edwards, and Mike broke down the quarterback race at the 2025 Indianapolis Combine. And with the spotlight on Cam Ward, Ryan asked, “Has he, or can he, solidify himself as QB1?” Mike didn’t hesitate. And he stated, “I think he will over the course of the week. If he throws and he throws compared to the other guys here, his arm talent—just his aura—will shine in a situation like this. And I think at the end of the day, someone’s going to fall in love with this guy, whether it’s in the interviews or on the football field. It’s just very easy to fall in love with his game.”

So, the stage is set and Ward has a golden opportunity to take control of the QB race. Moreover, Shedeur Sanders has opted out of workouts at the NFL Combine, choosing to focus solely on interviews, per reports from NFL Network and ESPN. And that might just be the opening Ward needs. As of now, “So, with Shedeur kind of skipping out on it, I think it gives Cam Ward this open door to just be like, ‘Yeah, it’s me,’” said Mike.

But then Ryan dropped the Shedeur blunder. He turned to Josh and asked, “Where are you on your evaluation of Shedeur? Because I go back to last year when they started 3-0, and I was having a serious conversation with myself, saying, ‘This guy is showing some things that translate.'”

However, Josh didn’t hesitate to respond. “Yeah, I thought the first half of the season, he looked fantastic. I mean, he was throwing with timing, anticipation. He was driving the ball into tight windows, especially the second windows. So, there was a lot to like, I thought, from the first half of the season. But I thought over the second half of the season, we started to see a little bit more sloppiness in terms of that timing and anticipation. And that’s when Cam Ward really made the move for me to be that quarterback one in this draft class,” said Edward.

Well, in the first half of the 2024 season, Shedeur Sanders was electric, throwing for over 2,000 yards, 16 TDs, and just 2 interceptions, showcasing elite accuracy and poise. However, in the second half, his numbers dipped, managing only 1,200 yards and  8 TDs, as offensive struggles and protection issues took a toll. Safe to say, the sharp contrast raised concerns about consistency, fueling debates about his draft stock.

So, the shift was clear—Shedeur started strong but faded down the stretch. That opened the door for Ward, who seized the moment and solidified his case as QB1. And while Shedeur’s late-season struggles cast doubt on his NFL future, there’s another twist in the story. A $50 million roadblock now stands in the way of a potential linkup with Tom Brady for Alabama’s standout QB.

The obstacles standing in the Way of Shedeur Sanders’ relationship with Tom Brady

Tom Brady and Shedeur Sanders share a well-documented mentor-mentee bond, with Brady guiding the young QB since his high school days. Now, as a minority owner of the Raiders, Brady’s influence could shape the franchise’s next move. ESPN mock drafts even hinted at Vegas trading up from No. 6 to land Sanders—possibly with Brady pulling the strings. But just when the pieces seemed to align, a new twist emerged. The Raiders have their eyes on a $50 million QB: Matthew Stafford. And suddenly, Shedeur’s path to Vegas isn’t so clear.

However, the Raiders’ QB hunt just took an unexpected twist. Fox Sports reports that Tom Brady, the team’s minority owner, recently hosted Rams QB Matthew Stafford at his Montana home—where they spent time together and even hit the slopes. As of now, Brady is actively working to lure Stafford to Vegas, and discussions are gaining traction. Although the Raiders are rumored to be the most aggressive suitor, not everyone sees eye to eye.

Actually, trading for Stafford means giving up key assets and committing to a $50 million-per-year extension. On the other hand, drafting Shedeur Sanders would only cost the Raiders their first-round pick—if he’s still on the board. To be honest, with draft analysts now believing Sanders could slide, the question remains: Go all-in on Stafford or take a shot on the young talent? Let’s see what the future holds for Shedeur.