Like many, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton was stunned by teams passing on Shedeur Sanders in Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Sanders’ draft-day slide is one of the biggest surprises in NFL Draft history, and his slide has yet to conclude.
Initially touted as the second-best quarterback prospect behind Cam Ward, Sanders’ potential to go undrafted has sparked an outcry among those who truly appreciate his talent, including Payton.
An old friend of Deion Sanders’, Payton has watched Shedeur grow, both as an individual and as a player over the years. That makes watching his draft slide tough for him.
Sean Payton Warns of Shedeur Sanders’ Chip on His Shoulder
Payton was utterly baffled about Sanders not getting selected in Round 1, let alone on Day 2. The Broncos’ head coach believed the quarterback had an “outstanding pro day,” when the popular opinion has been that Sanders’ pro day exposed his weakest areas.
“This thing is surprising, and there’s nothing that ever takes place during this period of time that surprises you,” Payton said. “I think we all are surprised, and yet the talent — holy cow, if you’re a team that needs a quarterback, and we kind of know from the start of the draft who those teams are.”
As Coach Prime’s close friend for decades, Payton has witnessed his son’s collegiate trajectory, including how he rose above all the criticism and nepotism allegations against him during his Colorado days.
“There’ll be this chip on his shoulder, and beware because this guy is going to play in this league,” Payton added.
The Broncos already found their franchise quarterback in Bo Nix, the No. 12 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, so that is why Denver isn’t interested in Sanders. Nix’s rookie season under Payton was sensational as he led the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
This would be the case for all the teams that have invested in a quarterback in the early rounds. Five quarterbacks have now been drafted ahead of Sanders, who will likely have to spend some time on the bench as the backup of an incumbent wherever he lands, given that he would be a late-round pick.
It remains to be seen when Sanders will hear his name called, and all eyes will be on the Colorado QB throughout Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Payton clearly believes in Sanders and excited for him to prove his doubters wrong once he enters the league.
