A year ago, there was speculation that former Colorado Buffaloes QB Shedeur Sanders could be the top overall pick in the NFL Draft. However, after four extremely productive college seasons under his father, Deion Sanders, Sanders dropped into the fifth round of the 2025 draft and was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 144th overall pick.
Sanders entered training camp battling fellow rookie and former Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel, a third-round selection, journeyman Kenny Pickett, and veteran Joe Flacco.
In the end, Flacco won the job, and Pickett was traded to the Raiders for a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft, while Gabriel is considered the backup, and Sanders is listed as third on the depth chart. But still, many believe Sanders isn’t ready to be an NFL starter.
Deion Sanders Confirms Shedeur Sanders and Veteran Joe Flacco’s Friendly Wager for Delaware-Colorado Game
Although Sanders obviously wanted to win the job, some of his actions have shown that he has a real respect for the former Super Bowl MVP. Still, this hasn’t stopped the two players from engaging in a bit of trash talk.
On Saturday, Sanders’ Buffaloes will take on the FBS newcomer Delaware Blue Hens, Flacco’s alma mater. Following a transfer from Pittsburgh to Delaware during his college days, Flacco had a solid 2006 season.
Flacco was an All-American in 2007, helping Delaware to an 11-4 season and an FCS playoff berth. He holds 20 school records for the Blue Hens and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2008 Draft.
During his coach’s show this week with Mark Johnson, the “Voice of the Buffs,” Shedeur’s father, Deion, was asked about the matchup. Although Sanders never crossed paths with Flacco on the field, he still had a secret to share about his son and the veteran field general.
“I’m not supposed to say this, but I will,” the elder Sanders said. Joe and Shedeur have something on this game.” “I bet they do,” Johnson responded, laughing. “You’re the first one I’ve told,” Sanders added.
Sanders admitted there was a little bit of trash talk between the two, agreeing with Johnson’s guess that “they’ve got a little trash talking going back and forth.” Sanders did not specify what kind of wager the two had.
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The Buffaloes’ post-Shedeur era did not get off to the type of start they hoped for. After taking an early lead in last week’s opener against Georgia Tech, they saw the Yellow Jackets break a fourth-quarter tie to earn a 27-20 victory, dropping the Buffaloes to 0-1.
Meanwhile, the Blue Hens started their season on a positive note, defeating the FCS Delaware State Hornets 35-17, spoiling the debut of another former NFL star in Hornets head coach DeSean Jackson.
The Buffaloes and Blue Hens will kick off at 3:30 ET Saturday, and the game will be broadcast on FOX.
