Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are the two hottest prodigies in the draft town. And why would they not be? Both of these players have proven why they deserve to be the first pick. In a world where there is an ever-looming scarcity of good quarterbacks, these two QBs provide just the right talent that the NFL team needs going forward. Could they be the next Patrick Mahomes? Or is another Peyton Manning and Tom Brady-like rivalry returning to the NFL?

Well, that may look like a stretch right now to say. But the two QBs have proven pedigree for their own teams. Shedeur Sanders, playing under his father, Deion Sanders, as head coach, has proved it by achieving a 74% pass completion rate for 4,134 yards at Colorado in 2024. On the other hand, Cam Ward is a different breed altogether.

The player has consistently performed over the seasons and was the only fifth invitee to the Heisman ceremony in Miami Hurricane’s history. Mind you, the other 4 invitees did that after winning the national trophy. Ward did it when Miami couldn’t even make the playoffs or even win the ACC. That’s what his level is. However, both of these players were seen recently in a recent video on the NFL’s Instagram account practicing and bantering together.

Both the QBs were looking quite determined and in a competitive spirit, throwing passes and showcasing their talent. Cam Ward cheekily remarked to Sanders when he started to go towards the sidelines. “I hope you’re not getting water; we just had the first drill; oh, that’s how you feel? To get water, we ain’t done with the first drill. That’s how it is at Colorado, though; that’s what it is like for a nine-win man!!“. Well, it certainly would have hurt, as the Colorado Buffaloes did win only 9 games in their season and lost the other 4 games. Sanders also didn’t hold back, and he replied with a seemingly $233.5 billion flex.

Sanders remarked playfully, giving a response so brutal that Ward couldn’t even think what to say for a while. “I didn’t have water; I drink Gatorade, s–t I get paid for it.” Ward did pause for a moment but said in response. “I don’t need to get paid; football pays me.” Notably, Shedeur Sanders signed a NIL partnership deal with Gatorade earlier in January 2022. He joined the athletes, the likes of Serena Williams, J.J. Watt, and Trevor Lawrence, to have their deal with the company that is worth $233.5 billion. That’s the biggest right there for Sanders. Moving on, let’s see what’s in the bag for the QBs ahead and how people are reacting to the hype.

Fans enjoying a budding rivalry 

Well, recently, in an NFL mock draft, Cam Ward was actually picked as the first pick for the Tennessee Titans. The pick is also important since the Titans already need a QB on their roster, and Cam Ward looks to be their pick. Considering they don’t trade their pick, which is also looking to be a 50% chance of happening. Whatever that may be, Ward did say something about his NFL draft pick recently. “If you don’t draft me, that’s your fault. You’ve got to remember you’re the same team that’s got to play me for the rest of my career, and I’ll remember that.” Well, if the Titans want to avoid the wrath of Ward, they must just draft him, right? But, whatever it may be, it seems fans are loving the recent reply by Sanders to Ward. 

A user remarked about the Gatorade reply and commented. “Lmao that’s the bar!!! I drink Gatorade I get paid for it”. Another user summarized the seeming rivalry in just four words. “Best come back lol.” The NFL is full of such rivalries. In AFC alone, you have the rivalry between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow, and Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. Of course, everyone wants to beat the three-time Super Bowl-winner in Mahomes. A new rivalry is only going to help the league. 

It seems fans, too, are loving the newly found rivalry and looking forward to it in the future. One user was a bit less enthusiastic about the Gatorade remark and said, “That Gatorade is gonna give you diabetes”. While one termed it as “I get paid for it is the biggest flex.” The rivalry will certainly be a treat to watch in the NFL if it goes to that level.