Shedeur Sanders ain’t letting nobody snatch his shine in this year’s NFL Draft buzz. He’s the hottest name at the Combine, and he didn’t even have to lace up—just his words had folks talking. But his draft stock? Straight-up unpredictable. One day he’s a top-3 lock, next thing you know, he’s slipping down the board. Some say he’s cocky, others call it confidence. Either way, he’s the most talked-about prospect in the class. The former NFL MVP-turned-analyst, Cam Newton claps back at the Shedeur Sanders smear campaign after Deion Sanders switches up on his NFL expectations for his son.
Shedeur’s been moving differently since the season ended. He skipped the throwing session last month, only focused on interviews at the Combine, and suddenly, the whispers started. ‘Why he acting Hollywood?’ and ‘Is he ducking competition?’ The energy around his name shifted quick. Some NFL scouts raised eyebrows, questioning if his confidence was tipping into diva territory. Others said he was just playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers. And right in the middle of this debate, Cam Newton—never one to bite his tongue—decided he had something to say.
On March 27th, Cam Newton hopped on his ‘4th and 1’ podcast and let loose on the Shedeur Sanders smear campaign. He wasn’t feeling the narrative surrounding the young QB, especially after Shedeur’s recent Combine interview where he spoke on handling criticism. When asked how he remains confident despite the noise, Shedeur kept it real: “Because you’re either going to be watching, or you’re going to be talking about it. It’s going to be one of the two, so I’d rather be the one getting talked about than the one just watching, hating on another guy. So that’s what I do. I got the utmost respect for everybody. You know, that has had some type of success in their life because I truly understand how hard it is.”
Cam wasn’t about to let that slide past without addressing it. “Pause right there, Peg,” Newton said mid-clip. “Hey, I want to say this, man, and I think Shedeur brings up a good point. That is a wide spread of, like, what people digest for what the truth is. And this is really—I don’t want to say the plague—but it’s, it’s, it’s a constant of where we are as an athlete these days. Even as kids, you know what I’m saying?”
Cam Newton wasn’t done. He dove deeper, breaking down the blurred line between genuine critique and flat-out hate. “Every critique is not a hating analysis. No, you know what I’m saying? Like, bro, people have jobs to do. And the ones that have genuine love for you can also critique the good and critique the bad.” Look, sometimes it’s not hate, just criticism, and athletes shouldn’t throw a tantrum every time an analyst critiques their game.
The biggest issue with Shedeur’s draft process is some scouts see a franchise QB, others see a player who skipped Combine throwing sessions and dodged key drills. The same qualities that make Shedeur confident also make him a target for critics who say he’s too cocky. But let’s be real—this ain’t nothing new. Every elite QB gets the “cocky” label before they win. Cam Newton? Dealt with it. Lamar Jackson? Same thing. Shedeur’s just the next in line.
And for the people calling him out on skipping the throwing session—his numbers last season speak louder than any Combine drill. Despite getting sacked left and right behind a shaky offensive line, he still racked up 4,134 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, only 10 picks, and a ridiculous 74% completion rate. But hey, narratives move fast, and if you ain’t careful, they’ll leave you behind.
Deion Sanders is ‘good with it’ no matter where his son Shedeur gets drafted—even Cleveland
Coach Prime has been vocal about his son’s future, sometimes a little too vocal. There’s been plenty of speculation that Deion wasn’t feeling the idea of Shedeur landing in Cleveland. The Browns have been thirsty for a QB, and with the No. 2 pick, they’re in prime position (pun intended) to take him. But rumors swirled that Deion wasn’t about it, allegedly steering Shedeur away from certain franchises.
Now, though? Coach Prime is switching up the tone. In a recent appearance on Skip Bayless’ YouTube show, Deion made it clear—he’s good with wherever Shedeur lands. “Shedeur has told me, he’s talked to me intently about all the visits he’s had with all the teams. So I know where his heart is, I know where he wants to go,” Sanders said. “If it’s New York it’s New York, if it’s Tennessee, if it’s Cleveland, if it’s still the Raiders, if it’s New Orleans, if it’s any of those teams that are seeking a quarterback, I’m happy with it, man. Because I know what he’s going to do to the organization.”
That’s a shift from the previous whispers about Shedeur’s team preferences. Cleveland picking at No. 2 means if they pull the trigger, he’s rocking brown and orange. The Giants at No. 3 could also be in play, same with the Raiders at No. 6 and Jets at No. 7. Every single one of those teams could justify drafting a QB in the first round.
The Browns, in particular, are hella intriguing. They’ve been in quarterback limbo for what feels like forever. Deshaun Watson’s contract is still an anchor, but if they decide to move on and go young, Shedeur could step into a loaded roster. And for all the talk about where he shouldn’t go. Let’s not forget—Cleveland has one of the best defenses in the league. If Shedeur lands there, he wouldn’t have to put up 40 points a game just to win.
The smear campaign around Shedeur has been loud, but Newton’s words ring true—it’s time to separate the real critiques from the noise. The kid has the talent. He has the mindset. Whether it’s Cleveland, New York, or anywhere else, Shedeur’s going to get his shot.
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