Shedeur Sanders is one of the most polarizing prospects in recent memory. The Colorado quarterback has been under the microscope every step of his pre-draft process and has endured a lot of heat since the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
One NFL analyst stuck up for Sanders after he was unnecessarily criticized for an interview on the “Up & Adams” podcast.
Shedeur Sanders Championed by ‘Up & Adams’ Host
Sanders settled in as this year’s QB2 behind Cam Ward, but he’s continued to be a media focal point. He performed well at Colorado’s Pro Day, but many teams and draft experts are still split on how well Sanders will play in the NFL.
His stock has been falling ever since the Combine after a report said he was “unprofessional” in his interviews. PFSN’s latest mock draft agrees and has Sanders going at No. 18 to the Seattle Seahawks.
That would be a precipitous drop for a player who was once in the No. 1 overall pick discussion. Sanders acquitted himself well on the field in 2024, throwing for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns while leading FBS with a 74.0% completion rate.
He appeared on “Up & Adams” after he visited the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sanders took the interview at the Pittsburgh airport and has caught flak for not taking his hood off, but show host Kay Adams used a recent episode to stand up for the Colorado quarterback.
Shedeur Sanders wearing a hoodie during our interview caused an uproar on social media.
"He took the time at an airport, 3 seconds out of his huge day with Tomlin and the Steelers to talk about it."@heykayadams | @joelklatt pic.twitter.com/asdvJLuKBV
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 15, 2025
Adams said, “I got him for, like, 12 minutes, Shedeur. And in those 12 minutes, I asked him, if, obviously, accuracy is your superpower, what’s your second one?
“I thought he’d say toughness. I went on and on about how he stands in the pocket and takes it. I’m no expert, but everything that I’ve seen, I’m like, you know you’re about to get hit, and you take it. I know the NFL, and I know how far that will take you as a rookie leader.”
Adams then stuck up for Sanders, taking the interview in a tough situation.
“He was at the airport. He had his hood on. He was being so low-key. He just left the Pittsburgh facility. He was around tons of people trying not to be seen to be respectful of me. Not the ideal situation he would have wanted for an interview.
“The amount of crap and people with their comments about his hood, and that is why I love him,” Adams continued. “There was no reason for him to get that, and he was getting it. Nobody cared about the context. Everyone just made a judgment like, ‘Take your hood off. That’s disrespectful. He’s not speaking loudly.’
“He took the time at an airport, three seconds out of his huge day with Tomlin and the Steelers, to talk about it. In that moment, everyone is so critical, and I hate everyone for that, and so I champion him.”
Despite the negativity, Sanders has come across as confident and respectful in many pre-draft interviews. He was calm and collected with people walking by during the viral interview.
Sanders was clearly trying to stay under the radar, but he gave many well-thought-out answers in a difficult situation. Most of the hate likely comes from people not being a fan of his Hall of Fame father, but Sanders has repeatedly shown that he can handle the heat.