The Sanders family is used to the heat. Deion’s always been a lightning rod, and Shedeur’s no exception. People love to criticize them, whether it’s about their fame or those spicy comments that always seem to get clicks. Now, Shedeur’s under the microscope—his draft stock is soaring, and everyone’s watching. There is widespread recognition of his exceptional talent, with many considering him a top contender for the coveted No. 1 pick. Even Sanders himself feels the hype. But enter Cam Newton, with his harsh take that could mess with Sanders’ momentum. Looks like another big controversy is on its way!

Well, the NFL draft just took a whole new turn! Former NFL MVP Cam Newton stirred the pot, claiming Shedeur Sanders avoids challenges. On Thursday, Cam appeared on ESPN’s First Take to discuss the top college quarterback prospects ahead of the 2025 NFL draft. “I want to see Shedeur picked as the first quarterback off the board,” he said.

Newton gave a broader perspective to it, adding, “But Shedeur also does not want to be challenged. I said certain things, and I’m just keeping it a buck and saying how I feel.” The conversation got heated when Newton took a shot at Sanders, sparking an intense reaction.

Shedeur Sanders, who’s been training with Cam Ward at SMU and is locked in a battle to be the top draft pick, recently fired back at Cam Newton’s take. The Buffs QB said, “They were crucifying me. I even—first, who was it? It was me, then it went to Shilo, then it went to Travis, then it went to me, then it went to you. It was me, Shilo, you, then Travis. You’re next, bro.” Can’t deny the fact, though!

Let’s be honest, it’s not the first time Cam Newton said something out of the blue against Shedeur Sanders. Remember when Newton said Shedeur and Shilo have minimized Coach Prime’s real capabilities of being the best coach? Moreover, he added more fuel to the fire, stating that with Shedeur’s move to the pro league, there’s a chance that Deion Sanders’ real abilities will come out. And his POV? “I’ve always challenged Shedeur. Publicly and, to him, in ways that are like bro, I want to see the best version of Shedeur. Shedeur has always played in a very convenient situation. I’ve said that numerous times.”

It looks like Cam Newton is really on some mission. But unlike Newton, Stephen A. Smith thinks that Shedeur Sanders poses a strong chance to shine bright in the pro league.

Stephen A. Smith backing up Shedeur Sanders

Look, when you’re playing for a legend like Coach Prime, and you’re his son, the pressure’s always on. People are gonna nitpick; they’re gonna criticize every move you make. That’s just the reality of the situation. But let’s not forget that despite all the criticism, Shedeur is one of the best single callers in CFB. And Smith totally disagrees with Cam Newton’s words that Shedeur avoids challenges.

He said, “When you say somebody doesn’t want to be challenged, I guess what I’m looking at is, okay, you play for your dad, but just because you’re playing for your dad, that doesn’t mean you want to be challenged.” That’s spot on.

Shedeur’s always put the focus on building his own game. Despite offensive line inconsistencies and frequent sacks, he still managed an impressive senior season with 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and only 10 interceptions. Throw in a 168.2 passer rating and a 74% completion percentage, and Shedeur has had a pretty solid year.

Moreover, let’s be real: playing for Deion Sanders isn’t a walk in the park. Coach Prime doesn’t hold back when it comes to his kids. Whether it’s calling out Shilo for his performance after the Jayhawks game or going in on Shedeur’s behavior, Prime’s always the first one to offer a harsh take. But now, the real question is whether Shedeur proves Cam Newton right or flips the script and shows a whole new side in the NFL.