Still Watching: Shedeur Sanders and the Netflix Cautionary Tale That’s Writing Itself
In comparison to last year’s draft, you could call this one a dud—
Except I’m actually still watching after three rounds.
Last year?
I lost interest the second the Seahawks made their pick halfway through the first round.
The most exciting part of the 2024 draft was packed into the first eight picks—namely when the Falcons shocked the league by taking a quarterback just months after signing Kirk Cousins to a massive deal.
After that?
Snoozefest.
This year we’re still locked in through 102 picks—because of who hasn’t been taken.
Shedeur Sanders.
Yesterday, I explained why I wasn’t that surprised Shedeur didn’t go in the first round.
A few things have happened since then...
First, Shedeur’s camp posted a "Round One Concession Speech."
On the one hand: he said a lot of the right things. He said he didn’t expect to go undrafted in Round One, but he’s excited for what’s ahead. "God is good,"
Okay. I like the sentiment—
though I’m not sure God puts people in the NFL as much as general managers do. But then again, maybe we went to different Sunday Schools growing up.
Still – mature response.
Then came the second video.
Shedeur partying in his luxury draft room.
Now before I go full Seattle Sports Radio Caller, let me preface this clearly:
None of that bothers me! If I'm a GM who loves Shedeur's tape, his leadership, and his interviews, I don’t care about concession speeches, brand logos, or draft party vibes.
But as a Nobel Prize Winning Physicist once said before being pantsed, I really think we should examine the chain of causality here:
Shedeur Sanders was hyped as a potential first-round pick since before last season.
Deion Sanders publicly said there were only certain teams he’d "allow" his son to play for.
Shedeur feuded with a former teammate on Twitter/X, mocking the guy as "mid at best."
(Not great teammate behavior. Not great leadership optics.)An NFL assistant told Tom Pelissero that Shedeur bombed his formal interviews—blamed teammates, couldn’t throw on time, and came off as entitled.
Shedeur built a draft room decked out in his brand, Legendary.
After going undrafted in Round One, he dropped a concession speech that included a shoutout to his brand. ("Let’s keep it Legendary!")
Then the party video surfaced.
Then Deion jumped on Twitter/X quoting Bible verses about God using “foolish” and “weak” things to humble the strong.
(Which...maybe is calling the NFL foolish? Maybe not? I'm not smart enough to decode it.)
And now, here we are:
Three rounds down. Five quarterbacks off the board. Shedeur still waiting.
I don’t think this sequence of events is that surprising.
Entitled and spoiled aren't synonyms—but they're cousins.
You don’t need Ancestry.com to figure that out.
Mike, why do you bring that up?
I’ll tell you, sports post reader!
Because NFL teams that already viewed Shedeur as entitled didn’t feel any differently after watching him flex a personal brand (Legendary) all over the walls of his draft party.
They didn’t feel differently seeing him include his brand during a draft-day concession speech.
By the way—Weird move to post a concession speech after slipping out of the first round. You didn’t lose the Presidential Election, bro.
Furthermore, the video of him partying afterward?
Yeah. If you were already skeptical of Shedeur’s maturity, you weren’t exactly reassured by that either.
If it were me, And trust me – I know it’s not, I would’ve filmed my concession speech from a gym or a film room.
No brand logos behind me.
No shoutouts to side hustles.
I would’ve said something simple:
"Back to work. I’ll be ready when my opportunity comes."
And then when the cameras are off – let’s throw that party! But everyone’s phones are getting locked in a bag. No evidence.
Five quarterbacks have been drafted ahead of Shedeur Sanders so far:
Cam Ward — Titans (#1 overall)
Jaxson Dart — Giants (#25)
Tyler Shough — Saints (#40)
Jalen Milroe — Seahawks (#92)
Dillon Gabriel — Browns (#94)
Outside of Cam Ward, I don't see any of these guys as better pure prospects than Shedeur.
But here’s the thing:
· None of those quarterbacks had a parent dictating where they could and couldn’t play.
· None of them were beefing with former teammates online.
· None of them were called “entitled” in pre-draft evaluations.
· None of them filmed weird concession speeches or brand launches on Draft Night.
The Five Quarterbacks taken ahead of Shedeur are all safer choices at their value.
It’s like this:
If you buy a 72” TV for $10,000 and it doesn’t work—you’re an idiot.
If you buy the same TV for $100 and it works great—you’re a genius.
If it doesn’t work? You’re only out $100.
No General Manager is getting fired for drafting Jalen Milroe at 92.
No General Manager is getting fired for taking Dillon Gabriel at 94.
But Shedeur?
Drafting Shedeur Sanders has career-ending potential if it blows up.
He’s starting to feel dangerously Johnny Manziel adjacent. And if you draft the next Johnny Football, you might just end up in a Netflix documentary explaining why you lost your job.
If you don't want to be fired...
If you don't want to be the star of a Netflix cautionary tale...
You’re not touching Shedeur Sanders until the risk is practically free.