Shedeur Sanders remains one of the most polarizing draft prospects in recent NFL history. Whether it is his on-the-field talent or off-the-field demeanor, fans and media alike have debated at length about his viability as an NFL starting quarterback. A common theme in recent months, however, has been criticism about the attitude with which Sanders carries himself.
There is a certain brand of confidence that the Colorado star has that is expected of a successful college quarterback and from the son of Deion Sanders, who was known for his charisma and confidence. However, it has certainly rubbed some people the wrong way. One former NFL quarterback, though, believes it is part of the DNA of great quarterbacks.
Dan Orlovsky Defends Shedeur Sanders’ Attitude
Sanders helped turn Colorado from a one-win team into a nine-win program and a top-25 squad last season. Along the way, he delivered one of the most efficient seasons in the country.
Dan Orlovsky believes that kind of production and pedigree make his demeanor off the field a net positive. To make his case, he compared Sanders to a former No. 1 overall pick and a lauded quarterback prospect out of Oklahoma, Baker Mayfield.
“We can’t praise Baker Mayfield and fall in love with Baker Mayfield because of his charisma, cockiness, his self-belief, and then kind of view it differently with Shedeur. I heard a lot of Baker listening to Shedeur in the confidence; I think it’s great,” Orlovsky said.
For others, though, the debate has been reminiscent of a different name: Johnny Manziel. Where the son of NFL legend and two-time Super Bowl champion Deion Sanders falls on the Manziel-to-Mayfield spectrum may ultimately decide his career.
“I also loved his answer when he talked about why he threw [at Colorado’s pro day],” Orlovsky added, “And when he said, ‘Well, there were some teammates of mine that didn’t get to go to the Combine or didn’t get invited. And I knew if I threw, all those teams would come from the NFL.'”
"We can't praise Baker Mayfield and fall in love with Baker Mayfield because of his charisma, cockiness, his self-belief and then kind of view it differently with Shedeur."
—@danorlovsky7 on the criticism of Shedeur Sanders pic.twitter.com/3tdMqetCdO
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 4, 2025
For the former Detroit Lions quarterback, that answer was nearly perfect. “I love, love, love every part of that answer because that’s leadership.” To him, his leadership qualities were unmatched, in addition to his performance on the field.
“The on-the-field stuff, when I talk about jumping off his hand, I’m not necessarily questioning, ‘Can he throw the ball downfield?’ His tape says he can.”
On the field, Orlovsky is also sold on Sanders’ arm talent but says there are still things to prove.
“Sometimes, in that position, in that league, when you’re getting picked in the top five, you got to be able to put your back foot in the ground, step on a football, throw it 18 yards in between two driving defenders but over a guy. And you don’t see a ton of examples of that on tape.”
Still, the latest mock draft from PFSN is sold on Sanders. Between his raw talent and the desperation of the New York Giants, Brentley Weissman has him going third overall to Big Blue.