Everyone’s got an opinion. Especially when it comes to Shedeur Sanders’ confidence, aka attitude. Like, since when did believing in yourself become a crime? J.D. PicKell is out here saying, “You need that in life and sports, PERIOD.” But apparently, the NFL combine wasn’t ready for answers that had a little… spice. “I’m most proud of my mental. Because I know nothing can faze me. No pressure, no situation; these cameras, nothing fazes me. I grew up with it,” Shedeur said. And yeah, just like that, his draft stock’s taking a hit; those cocky answers have him labeled arrogant and brash. But come on.

Let’s break it down! You know, the whole ‘not throwing at the combine’ thing? That stirred up a whole hornet’s nest. Then, some anonymous NFL QB coach throws shade about his media presence, and boom, Shedeur’s in the hot seat. But On3’s J.D. PicKell is not having it. He’s like, “Arrogant and brash, have you seen Shedeur Sanders? Have you watched my guy play football? It’s one of his superpowers. The confidence he has is a big reason why Colorado turned it around from four wins to nine wins from his first year to his second year. I hope he is a little bit arrogant, a little bit confident in himself. You need that in the quarterback.” And he’s right.

Look at the stats: 4,134 yards, 34 touchdowns, 74% completion rate. That’s not just luck. That’s talent and, yeah, confidence. And let’s not forget the clutch moments. Remember that Colorado State game in 2023? Down to the wire, seven plays, 98 yards, and a 45-yard TD pass in the final minute. Pure Tom Brady vibes. Or how about that Hail Mary against Baylor? Down by seven, he throws it to LaJohntay Wester, and boom, game over.

It’s like, people are missing the point. Shedeur’s not just talking; he’s backing it up. He’s got the numbers, he’s got the game-winning plays, and yeah, he’s got the confidence. And in a league where every play counts, that belief can be the difference between a win and a loss. So just like PicKell, even former NFL players are endorsing Shedeur Sanders.

Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho dismisses the narrative and cuts straight to the point—it’s not about Shedeur’s behavior but about his belief in his gameplay.  As Acho puts it, “I think Shedeur Sanders’ security makes a lot of people insecure.” But who would’ve thought his draft stock would take a hit just because he is comfortable in his own skin?

So, let’s talk about the ‘Sanders’ hate, shall we? It’s like a constant buzz. ‘Play for clicks’ this, ‘just his last name’ that. You know, ESPN’s Tom Luginbill even threw out there, “I wonder sometimes, if his name was Shedeur Smith, would we find these same conversations that’s interesting.” Like, the ‘arrogant’ and ‘brash’ labels? They’re basically a side effect of the last name at this point.

NFL insider Josina Anderson dropped this bomb: some unnamed coach “seems to have issues with ‘the culture’ of athletes who have broad fame and financial success before entering the NFL.” If brands are throwing deals at these guys because they’re popular, that’s not Shedeur’s fault, right? Anderson even straight up called out that this coach has a problem with ‘certain athletes.’ And it’s all adding up to a seriously messy draft situation. All this noise, all these labels, all this… ‘culture’ talk. It’s like he’s being judged for everything but his actual talent.

Shedeur Sanders is facing heat for his “confidence”

Colorado fans are used to Shedeur Sanders handling the media with that signature swagger. So, the NFL Combine? No surprise there. The soundbite everyone’s talking about? He basically said he’s ready to change the whole vibe of whatever team drafts him. A bunch of teams that need a quarterback are drafting high this year after a poor season, but Sanders isn’t shying away from challenges.

“If that’s not what you’re trying to do, don’t get me. If you’re not trying to change the franchise or culture, don’t get me,” Sanders said. “You should know history repeats itself over and over and over. And I’ve done it over and over and over. So it should be no question why an NFL franchise should pick me.” And that’s the thing that’s biting him now. Turns out, in today’s world, confidence and ‘arrogance’ are basically the same thing.

Shedeur Sanders came into the 2025 NFL Draft cycle as a potential top pick. However, recent projections show him slipping outside the top 20, with Miami’s Cam Ward moving ahead of him in the rankings. While some analysts still view him as a top-tier prospect, others, such as CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli, have doubts about his long-term development, despite acknowledging his readiness for the NFL. In Fornelli’s most recent mock draft, Sanders drops to the 21st overall pick, going to the Pittsburgh Steelers, as the second quarterback chosen after Ward.

Not just Fornelli but even NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein has Sanders being selected 29th overall, falling way down the draft board. “Sanders’ slide is over, as the Browns flip their No. 33 overall pick and an additional selection to the Commanders in order to take a swing at a QB of the future,” Zierlein noted. That’s a huge dip.

Despite all the speculation, Sanders isn’t sweating it. He shrugs off the media noise as fool’s gold. As he puts it, “Everybody trying to make my stock drop right now, so who knows. You know how life gets, but it is what it is. It’s fool’s gold. It ain’t real. Don’t believe media.” And honestly, his numbers back him up—he led the nation with a 74% completion rate and was among the best in passing yards and touchdowns. Still, skipping the NFL Combine has left scouts eager to see him in action on Pro Day, a key moment in his draft evaluation. Well, attitude or not, he’s a first-round talent, period!