The 2025 NFL Draft featured many storylines, but the one that stole all of the headlines was the “collusion” that resulted in Shedeur Sanders dropping all the way into the fifth round. One former ESPN president chimed in on the controversy, shutting down the conspiracy theory altogether.
Former ESPN President Chimes In on Collusion Theory Regarding Shedeur Sanders
NFL analysts had graded Sanders well. Daniel Jeremiah, who is a reputable source on the draft, had him as his 20th overall prospect. Draft fanatic Mel Kiper Jr., who’s been doing his job on draft prospects for over 40 years, had Sanders at No. 5 overall on his big board.
The analysts had watched the tape and believed in the quarterback’s ability. However, NFL franchises had a very different take, resulting in one of the widest variances in player analysis the draft has ever seen.
Sanders was free-falling through the draft, and as he did so, those providing the coverage had various theories as to why. Concerns had come out about the way Sanders conducted himself in pre-draft interviews and visits, with one NFL assistant coach stating it was the “worst formal interview I’ve ever been in.”
Joel Klatt spoke out against that quote, suggesting if coaches had such strong feelings about prospects that they should “put their name on it,” while Rich Eisen sat baffled as hours of draft coverage passed and the Colorado quarterback remained on the board.
Kiper then lost his cool entirely suggesting the NFL has been “clueless” when evaluating quarterbacks for over 50 years.
While the theories have been flying around for days, former ESPN president John Skipper doesn’t believe in the collusion. He explained why during his appearance on the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” show on Tuesday, April 29.
Former ESPN president John Skipper pushes back on the theory that there was "collusion" by NFL teams against Shedeur Sanders.@PabloTorre: "It's not collusion, it's a test of power in which every NFL team was like … 'This guy is not good enough to demand the treatment, the… pic.twitter.com/mffhGwmw4R
— Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout)
“The NFL talent managers did not believe that he was a first, second, third-round choice,” said Skipper.
He went on to say, “I do not believe the collusion theory. If you do believe he can make your team, and start next year, and your team will be better, they would take him. They’re interested in getting better. I don’t think there’s anybody interested in teaching Deion Sanders a lesson.”
Sanders Now Faces an Uphill Struggle
While the news stories have peppered the front page, the bottom line is that Sanders now faces a very real battle to even make the team. Not only was he a fifth-round draft pick, but he was the second quarterback drafted by the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland took Dillon Gabriel in the third round, and both came in on top of Kenny Pickett, who the franchise traded for this offseason by parting with a fifth-round pick and QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
With Joe Flacco and Deshaun Watson, the Browns now have five quarterbacks on the roster and are only expected to keep three. Watson is on a $230 million contract, fully guaranteed, so they can’t just cut him.
It’s going to be a fight for Sanders, and the first time he’s really had to work for a quarterback job in his life.
