Let’s get this party started with a take so spicy it could double as a Nashville hot chicken challenge. Shedeur Sanders—Colorado’s golden-armed QB, son of NFL legend Deion Sanders—is dominating draft chatter like Patrick Mahomes in a two-minute drill. But here’s the kicker: some NFL execs are reportedly pressed, as the kids say, over his decision to skip throwing at the Combine and opting instead to let his Pro Day tape do the talking. Cue the anonymous ‘leaks’.

The Athletic dropped a massive bomb this week, quoting scouts who claim Shedeur “would not be rank ahead of any of the six QBs taken in the first round last year.” Hold up. Let’s unpack that like a rookie’s pre-draft suitcase.

Last year’s QB class included the Bears’ new face Caleb Williams, the Commanders’ hope Jayden Daniels, and the Broncos’ gamble Bo Nix. But as Rob Parker fired back on FOX Sports Radio’s The Odd Couple: “That’s easy to say now because those guys have played in the league already!” Translation? Hindsight’s 20/20, and comparing Shedeur to NFL-tested QBs is like judging Titanic solely on its first 10 minutes—it’s missing the iceberg-sized context. Take a glimpse of Shedeur’s resume, if that helps: 4,134 passing yards, 37 TDs, a 74% completion rate, and a Heisman nod. The kid’s stats are more Madden glitch than mortal.

Here’s where the plot thickens faster than a Sopranos finale. FOX Sports Radio tweeted an excerpt from their latest Radio conversation between co-hosts Rob Parker and Kelvin Washington. The former delivered a hot take of his own: “Shedeur Sanders has officially reached ‘unlikable’ status… There’s some jealousy there, and it shouldn’t factor in at all and just be about his ability.”

Parker further doubled down, arguing Shedeur’s “unlikability” stems from jealousy over his swagger—not his play. “He’s got Deion Sanders as his dad. Some people just don’t like that. They see him driving around in luxury cars, rocking the jewelry, and they assume he’s had everything handed to him,” Parker (@robparkerMLBbro’) said. Meanwhile, co-host Kelvin Washington (@Kdubblive) clapped back: “A lot of this is starting to sound more code for ‘humble.’” He added, crucially: “How can he go backward when he was projected to be high even before the season?”

NFL analyst Brett Kollmann further summed up the mood: “It’s not the biggest deal in the world that Shedeur isn’t throwing, but it is kind of annoying… everyone has to go out to Colorado just to see it.” Translation? Shedeur’s playing 4D chess while everyone else is stuck on Candy Crush. But let’s not pretend this kid hasn’t earned the right to flex. Leading Colorado to a 9-4 record (their best since 2016) and finishing eighth in Heisman voting isn’t exactly Little Giants energy. Dude’s got receipts.

So let’s keep it real: the NFL’s obsession with “humility” is older than Belichick’s hoodies. When Colin Kaepernick kneeled, critics suddenly cared more about his socks than his stats. Shedeur’s crime? Comparing himself to “Tom Brady’s intelligence and Michael Vick’s athleticism” and treating every game like “our opponent’s Super Bowl.” The audacity! But here’s the tea: Scouts already have 13 games of tape showing Shedeur carving defenses like a Halloween sequel villain. Skipping Combine throws? Bold, sure, but not exactly Tebow-at-tight-end levels of chaos.

Titans’ QB dilemma: Swipe left on Shedeur Sanders?

Meanwhile, in Tennessee, the Titans (3–14 last year—yikes) are eyeing QBs like a kid with a gift card at a candy store. Former NFL QB Cody Kessler thinks they should pass on Shedeur for Miami’s Cam Ward, praising his “arm talent off the charts” and “off-platform throws.” But let’s be real: The Titans’ offense last season ranked 27th in scoring. Their QB room? Will Levis and Mason Rudolph combined for more benchings than touchdowns. Shedeur, meanwhile, dragged Colorado to a 9–4 record with a line weaker than Friends’ Joey’s acting résumé.

Still, the anonymous hate flows. One exec told The Athletic he could see Shedeur “falling out of the first round altogether.” Cue Deion Sanders, who’s been playing 4D chess behind the scenes. Prime Time’s already whispering to teams, “Don’t draft my son if you ain’t serious,” like Tony Stark vetting Avengers recruits. He’s not wrong—Shedeur needs a system that lets him cook, not one that’ll bench him faster than The Office’s Toby.

Let’s not pretend this is about football. When Rob Parker—a guy who once asked a Lions coach if he wished his daughter “married a better defensive coordinator”—calls Shedeur “unlikable,” it’s code. Code for “Know your place, rook.” Code for “Your confidence makes us uncomfortable.” But Shedeur’s response? Silence. He’s too busy grinding, too busy being the guy who said, “I aspire to be the No. 1 pick,” with the calm of Thanos snapping his fingers.

And let’s not forget: Parker’s own history is… complicated. From questioning RGIII’s “Blackness” to botching Kirk Cousins fight reports, his takes often land like a Star Wars prequel—divisive, messy, but impossible to ignore. Yet here’s the irony: his MLBbro.com platform celebrates Black athletes’ swagger. So why the Shedeur slander? “There’s jealousy at play here,” Parker admits. Touchdown.

Here’s our bottom line: Shedeur’s tape doesn’t lie. He’s a surgeon in the pocket (shoutout to FOX’s Joel Klatt), an artist under pressure, and—let’s face it—a Sanders. Confidence is his birthright. So whether he’s holding a Titans jersey on draft night or pulling an Eli Manning side-step, one thing’s clear: The kid’s rewriting the script. As Deion would say, “Look at me. Now look at him. Now back to me. He’s that dude.”

So, will Shedeur Sanders tumble out of Round 1? Unlikely. But the noise is louder than a Cowboys fan at a tailgate. Between Deion’s backroom lobbying, the Titans’ desperation, and scouts nitpicking his bling, this draft season’s got more drama than Succession.

Game on. 🏈