Pilar Sanders, the ex-wife of Deion Sanders and the mother of Shedeur and Shilo Sanders, has defended her son amid recent criticism.
Earlier this week, Pilar took to Instagram to address reports circulating that some NFL teams viewed Shedeur as “brash” and “arrogant” during preliminary meetings.
Pilar Sanders Defends Shedeur Sanders
Pilar reposted a photo of Shedeur training in the gym on her Instagram story with the caption:
“Wait, who said what????”
Pilar made it clear that she has her son’s back and isn’t going to sit quietly while his name is criticized in NFL circles or online.
Is the Reported Criticism of Shedeur Sanders Unfair?
The “brash” and “arrogant” comments are surprising, given Shedeur Sanders’ reputation as a strong leader and great teammate at the college level. These words are being used negatively, but it’s difficult to think of any successful quarterback or professional athlete who doesn’t have a high level of self-confidence.
Many of the best players, like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow, have a similar level of confidence and swagger. It’s part of what makes them elite and clutch in big moments. To judge Sanders based on this alone seems unfair, especially when he’s considered one of the most talented and accomplished players in the 2025 NFL Draft.
At this time, it’s unclear whether these reports will impact Shedeur’s draft stock. Until now, he has been widely regarded as a top-10, if not top-5, pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. In Pro Football Network’s recent 7-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft by NFL Draft analyst Ben Rolfe, Sanders was projected to go No. 2 overall to the Cleveland Browns.
“While the Cleveland Browns may not be the most desirable landing spot for off-field reasons, it’s far from a bad situation for Shedeur Sanders. The Browns have a lot of pieces in place and were mainly held back by quarterback play in 2024.
Sanders is a promising NFL prospect. He’s a pocket passer with enough mobility to make plays when needed. There are concerns about his arm strength, but he offsets those with his quick release and strong accuracy. His mechanics can help him when pressured, which is a key concern given the Browns’ offensive line ranked 20th last season.”