Shedeur Sanders understands that he is always going to be in the headlines. However, those headlines are not always going to be positive. Everyone knows that Shedeur Sanders has the talent to play in the NFL. It’s for no reason that we see NFL scouts attending Colorado Buffaloes’ games. The Buffs even bragged about having a number of scouts attend their season opener. However, there has been a dent in the Shedeur narrative since the Buffs’ disappointing Week 2 loss to Nebraska. Shedeur did not play well. However, he pointed out a repetitive issue- the O-line’s failure to protect the QB. 

Now, people in the media are advising Sheduer Sanders to choose the ‘selfish’ route and prioritize preparing for his NFL career rather than keep getting sacked behind a weak O-line. As per sports analyst Adam Breneman, “Almost in a selfish way, it needs to be like man just get through this season and go become a top 10 NFL draft pick.”

Of course, such an offering for Shedeur to concentrate on his NFL future rather than the team may seem cruel, but the facts are out in the open. The Colorado Buffaloes’ O-line has been dreadful, making Sanders run around like a headless chicken in most of the games. In the Colorado Buffaloes’ recent games, the offensive line has been a notable weak spot, significantly impacting their performance. Against North Dakota State, the line allowed two sacks and struggled to establish a consistent run game, evident from their rushing totals.

The situation worsened in their match against Nebraska, where they gave up five sacks and struggled to provide adequate protection for quarterback Shedeur Sanders. This disruption in the pocket has led to inconsistent passing plays and limited offensive efficiency, as shown by Sanders’ drop in passing yards from 445 to 244 between the two games. Additionally, the lack of protection has hindered the running game, with a decline in rushing yards. The Buffs have genuine stars. But, Shedeur could neither run nor throw. Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. were ineffective. If it is not corrected very soon, it will be the same Colorado team that we saw last season, an offense that can’t make the best use of its assets. 

Should Shedeur Sanders prioritize his NFL future over the team?

NFL scouts are always observing all that is going on. Every sack, every hit, every interception- everything matters. Is a QB good in the pocket? Can they improvise plays? Everything matters. Shedeur is a fighter with the tools to handle some misfortune, but given how little he gets from his offense, there is only so much he can do. The way he stomped off the field recently is not just anger; it is understanding that he might have to look after his interests, even if it seems selfish.

Adding to all this is the conflict of interest between Shedeur and his father. Coach Prime has done wonders for the Colorado program, but even he can’t fix the offensive line issues overnight. Shedeur’s position is unique—he’s not just the team’s quarterback but also the son of the man calling the shots. This puts Shedeur puts him in a very awkward position. This complicates the situation, especially when one tries to balance self-interests with family needs.

Of course, Shedeur may feel like it is a betrayal because he has to pass on his father’s side and do what is best for him regarding the NFL. The NFL is the ultimate goal, and the steps are to remain healthy and continue demonstrating his abilities. But can he do that behind an offensive line that is just good enough to keep its pants up?