Will Coach Prime make his son, Shedeur Sanders, pull an Eli Manning? Back in March this year, Deion told ESPN, “I know where I want [Shedeur and Travis Hunter] to go. So, it’s certain cities that ain’t going to happen. It’s going to be an Eli.” Considering he made this much clear long ago, it shouldn’t have been a surprise when he reiterated this last month.

When asked on FS1’s Speak podcast if he would intervene in Shedeur’s Draft process if the opportunity to play for a “wrong organization” arises, Deion Sanders said, “Yeah, but I’m not going to do it publicly, I’ll do it privately.” But what, according to him, is the right franchise? “Somebody that can handle the quarterback he is. Somebody that can handle understanding what he’s capable of. Someone who has had success in the past handling quarterbacks or someone in an organization that understands what they’re doing, not just throwing you out there amongst the wolves.”

But can Shedeur Sanders handle the NFL spotlight? It’s the million-dollar question everyone’s asking as a video resurfaced from the Super Bowl LVIII weekend of Deion Sanders openly pitching his sons to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Buffaloes’ QB has the stats and swagger. No doubt there. But NFL legends Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson think there’s more to it. Their message? Success in the NFL isn’t just about balling out on Sunday evening—it’s about character, leadership, and staying locked in. Let’s dive into the drama.

On December 8, the ever-vocal Shannon Sharpe didn’t hold back while dishing out advice to his ‘nephew,‘ Shedeur Sanders. Sitting alongside Chad Johnson on the Nightcap show, Shannon Sharpe gave Shedeur a gentlemen’s crash course on what it takes to thrive in the NFL. “I do think Shedeur is gonna be a very high pick. He’s made himself some money; his offensive coordinator this year (Pat Shurmur) was an OC in the NFL, so he’s pro-ready. His dad is a coach… So, he understands it,” Shannon started, giving Shedeur his flowers.

“He understands what it takes to be the mechanisms of everything that comes along with being an NFL quarterback. You’re the CEO. Gotta be buttoned up.” Ocho was quick to jump in, hyping the message with his signature style. “Buttoned up, yes, sir!” he said with a grin. Shannon, ever the wise uncle, doubled down: “Gotta say all the right things. Do all the right things. It’s more than just playing the position.” Translation? Being QB1 in the NFL ain’t just about the highlights—it’s about leading on and off the field, too. You got kids looking up to you all the time. The NFL and college football are two different ballgames.

And Shannon didn’t stop there. He took it further, drawing a parallel to corporate America. “Man, who cares if—nah, bro, stop it,” he quipped, making the trademark Shannon Sharpe face, cautioning Shedeur about listening to outside noise. “It’s different, it’s different. It’s just like if you’re a CEO. Tim Cook can’t just be out there doing willy-nilly stuff… There’s a decorum. You’ve got to be very demure.” The lesson?

To be a franchise QB, Shedeur needs to carry himself like a CEO 24/7, not just on Sundays.

That said, a few weeks ago, the 22-year-old talked about the 2025 Draft and what his prospects could look like. In a conversation with Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the 2legendary podcast, when the soccer legend asked where his ideal landing spot in the NFL would be, Shedeur said, “Nah, I can’t say it, but it’s a couple of teams, for sure. There’s a couple of teams I’ll fit [in with, considering] the situation and everything. You gotta understand that there’s a couple of teams that don’t like the personality, that don’t like dad, and everything like that. So, it is what it is.”

This means that come April, some teams may pass up on signing the quarterback – despite his stats and the promise he’s shown – just because they may not be too fond of Deion Sanders. All this is to say that, although the Buffaloes signal-caller won’t have the liberty to decide where he does end up in the NFL, he sure will have the opportunity to decide where he doesn’t end up. But…

Does Shedeur Sanders have franchise QB caliber?

Alright, enough with Unc’s talk. Now, let’s get real: Shedeur Sanders has the game to back up the talk. He’s already being hyped as a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and his stats scream NFL-ready: over 3,900 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions in his senior season. If you still need more receipts, Shedeur Sanders was the 2024 recipient of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award – the most prestigious QB award. And don’t sleep on his mobility—Shedeur’s got that slick pocket escape and effortless throw-on-the-run ability that makes NFL scouts drool over their saliva.

But here’s the kicker: Shedeur’s confidence, inherited straight from his dad, is often mistaken for arrogance. Some critics think he’s too flashy. He’s this, he’s that. But those close to him know it’s just that Prime Time DNA shining through. He’s really his dad’s son. He’s got a swagger, sure, but it doesn’t mess with his focus. Teams like the Giants, desperate for a new QB after the Daniel Jones era, have been sniffing around. But Deion made it crystal clear (albeit almost a year ago)—he wants his boys in Las Vegas.

“You are truly the best. Now I just need you to do one thing—I need you to draft those Sanders boys,” Deion reportedly told Raiders’ head coach Antonio Pierce. And if that wasn’t enough of a hint, Shedeur’s recent Instagram story featuring the Raiders’ stadium had the Raiders fans go crazy. “Legendary,” he wrote. The Raiders’ QB room is a mess, and Shedeur could be their guy. With Pierce and owner Mark Davis reportedly loving the kid, Vegas might just become the new home for Prime Time 2.0.

Look, Shedeur has all the talent, the pedigree, and the charisma to succeed in the big league. But as Uncle Sharpe made clear, it’s not just about what happens on the field—it’s about stepping up as a leader, keeping your cool, and owning the moment. If the Raiders pull the trigger and draft Shedeur, we’ll see if the Sanders name can shine just as brightly under the NFL spotlight. One thing’s for sure: the journey from Boulder to the big leagues is about to get really interesting.