Shedeur Sanders continues to be a media focal point after falling to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The quarterback landed with the Cleveland Browns and has to prove himself in the team’s crowded quarterback room.
Sanders considers Tom Brady one of his idols, and the seven-time Super Bowl champion had a message for Sanders after his draft fall. The Colorado product recently made his feelings known on the future Hall of Famer.
Shedeur Sanders Has Been ‘Focusing on the Team’ Since Arriving In Cleveland
Sanders endured arguably the most precipitous fall in NFL Draft history. He balled out in his final college season at Colorado, throwing for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2024, but questions remained about Sanders’ arm strength and athleticism. Concerns about his attitude and some poor pre-draft interviews didn’t help his case.
No one saw a fifth-round slide coming, and the Browns mercifully ended his suffering. However, they did so after selecting Dillon Gabriel 50 picks earlier. Gabriel was projected as a late-Day 3 pick, but the Browns used a third-round selection on the Oregon product.
This led one unnamed NFL executive to say, “Now I look at their (quarterback) room and I don’t know what they’re doing. Do they even have a plan? And you know who else is thinking that? Dillon Gabriel. He spent, what, 12 hours as their likely future starter? And then, this.”
Cleveland recently held its rookie minicamp, and both quarterbacks got a chance to show what they can do. The team sent both to the NFLPA Rookie Premiere along with running back Quinshon Judkins.
Each player got a chance to take pictures wearing the team’s full uniform, and Sanders looked good wearing No. 12.
Shedeur rocking that #12 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ExrEqm2oGa
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland)
No. 2 is occupied by veteran receiver DeAndre Carter, so Sanders chose No. 12. That happens to be the number Brady wore his entire 23-year career. Sanders should be hoping for the same success as Brady, but, according to a recent interview, the Cleveland QB hasn’t talked to Brady since the 2025 NFL Draft.
Sportscasting’s DJ Siddiqi recently interviewed Sanders and asked for his thoughts on Brady. Sanders said, “I haven’t talked to him since the draft. I’ve mainly just been focusing on the team, everybody that’s currently around me, the coaches on the team.
“I haven’t really been on my phone much or talking to many people. I really don’t even talk to my family. It’s one of those situations where I just have to lock in, stay focused on what’s present now.”
Earlier in the interview, Sanders talked about what the biggest adjustment to the NFL game will be. He said, “I’m not sure. I haven’t played a snap yet. I’m excited to see myself.” He has a great attitude for the situation he’s in.
Cleveland traded for Kenny Pickett and re-signed Joe Flacco earlier this offseason. Sanders will have to first beat out Gabriel, then turn his sights to overtaking whichever veteran wins the starting job.
Brady was a sixth-round pick and turned that into seven championships. As a fifth-round pick, Sanders is in a similarly tough position heading into his rookie season. Brady’s message to Sanders was simple: “It doesn’t matter where you’re picked.” It’s up to Sanders to prove himself.