Deion Sanders defends Shedeur Sanders nixing Ravens draft pick

A recent report indicated Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders requested the Baltimore Ravens not select him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Deion Sanders defended his son’s decision and mindset in an appearance on the ‘New Heights’ podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce.

‘How in the world can someone fault him for saying or thinking, why in the world would I go back up Lamar [Jackson] for 10 more years?’ the elder Sanders said, discussing Shedeur. ‘Like, who comes in with that mindset?’

Sanders further revealed both he and his son had spoken with current Ravens executive vice president of player personnel Ozzie Newsome on the phone during the draft. Sanders and Newsome have a pre-existing relationship from Sanders’ two seasons with the Ravens in 2004 and 2005, so the two are ‘cool,’ as the Colorado coach stated.

Sanders declined to discuss the specifics of the phone calls, but implied it was important for his son to go to a team where he would have a chance to earn playing time.

‘Where do these guys come from that sit on these platforms and say, ‘Oh, you should’ve sat in behind and learned the game and been developed,” Sanders wondered. ‘When have the pros ever developed anybody? By the time you get to the NFL, they expect you to know what you need to do and to do it, or somebody else gonna get in there and do it.’

‘I’ve never sat on the bench and said, ‘Well, I learned a lot today,” Sanders later added, eliciting uproarious laughter and hearty affirmation from the Kelce brothers.

Thus far, the younger Sanders has largely remained on the bench in Cleveland after earning the team’s third-string job behind Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel.

Sanders was given ample opportunity to play in two preseason games and jockey for positioning on Cleveland’s depth chart. The 23-year-old may have a path to playing time if Flacco continues to struggle. The 40-year-old has guided Cleveland to a 1-2 record through three weeks while completing 61.1% of his passes for 631 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.

Sanders would still have to eventually leapfrog Gabriel, a fellow rookie, to get see the field. His father remains confident that will happen at some point during his rookie season.

‘You know, I got a prediction. I ain’t telling nobody. I got a feeling when it’s gonna go down,’ Sanders said of his son getting playing time. ‘But it’s gonna go down this year. He’s gonna get a shot.’