It was practically gospel before Thursday night: Shedeur Sanders. The Colorado sensation with NFL ancestry and a stellar resume that lists Big 12 dominance was expected to be a top-10 lock. A passer with 4,000 yards? Yes. Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year? Yes. Son of Deion Sanders and built like a marketing goldmine? Ah… yes, again.

With 14,347 yards, 134 touchdowns, and a 71.8% career completion rate, his college stats were pure video game mania, making him one of the most statistically successful quarterbacks going into the draft. He shunned the Green Bay spotlight, skipped the NFL Combine activities, and said on social media, “I’m built for whatever today may bring.” He entered with assurance. The NFL baffled him and sent him home. But, an experienced voice from within the league called it out: that something wasn’t adding up.

Andrew Brandt, a former NFL executive turned insider, lit up X with a post that doubled as a red flag: “Such a disconnect between how some Draft pundits rate Shedeur Sanders and how NFL teams rate Shedeur Sanders.” Brandt’s remark revealed a developing conflict between private assessment and public opinion. Sanders appeared to be a franchise dream on paper. On tape? Polarizing. And in private? According to multiple unnamed scouts, problematic.

Several league sources, many of whom expressed dissatisfaction with Shedeur’s mood in interviews, were cited in Tom Pelissero’s report days prior to the selection. A coach referred to his official session as “the worst formal interview I’ve ever been in in my life,” pointing to poor body language and entitlement. An AFC executive added: “He wants to dictate what he’s going to do and what’s best for him. He makes you feel small.” It’s obvious that the NFL front offices and the Sanders camp weren’t following the same strategy when you combine that with what his father, Coach Prime, himself, tweeted in May of last year, predicting Shedeur would be selected in the top five.

This disconnect indicates a cultural conflict rather than merely a disagreement in scouting ideology. The NFL still operates on the principles of hierarchy, humility, and ‘team-first’ soundbites. And Shedeur? Well, everyone thinks he has an ‘entitled’ attitude. The league is uncertain whether he would enter the building wearing a crown or a helmet.

Draft day surprise: Shedeur Sanders’ unexpected fall

It wasn’t just startling by the end of Round 1; it was seismic. Shedeur Sanders, who was originally predicted to be the first choice, never heard his name being called. Not by the Titans, who selected Cam Ward with the first overall pick. The Steelers, despite months of speculation, surprisingly passed at pick number 21. Not even by the New York Giants, who selected Jaxson Dart.

The atmosphere changed from one of joy to one of quiet in the living room back in Texas, where Shedeur had decided to watch the draft with relatives. “We all didn’t expect this, of course,” Sanders said afterwards in a video posted by his brother. “But I feel like with God, anything’s possible… all this is, of course, fuel to the fire. Under no circumstance, we all know this shouldn’t have happened. But we understand, we’re on to bigger and better things. Tomorrow’s the day. We’re going to be happy regardless.” Shedeur’s attitude remained composed, but the implications were not.

Shedeur is now battling to be viewed as draftable rather than the face of a franchise. The problem is that this is nothing new. In 2013, Geno Smith was eliminated in Round 1. Will Levis (2023). Both came back with chips on their shoulders. Shedeur? Already, he sounds like a guy planning his return: “If you’re not trying to change the franchise or the culture, don’t get me. If you have the franchise traits, then why wouldn’t a franchise pick me. It’s like a cheat code.”

The question now isn’t if Sanders will be drafted. It’s how long the NFL wants to keep pretending they’re not watching. Because when Round 2 starts, the Raiders, Browns, Saints, and Colts will all be on the clock—and so will their reputations.