Shedeur Sanders’ draft slide was one of the biggest surprises of 2025. Expected to go much earlier, the Colorado quarterback ended up being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. While the drop raised eyebrows across the league, NFL legends and teammates are now rallying behind him—with none other than Tom Brady offering perspective.
According to a report by Gridiron Heroics, Brady shared his take on Sanders’ fall during a private conversation with the young quarterback. His message? It’s not where you start, it’s what you do with the opportunity.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re picked,” Brady reportedly told Sanders. “What matters is how you work once you’re there.”
Coming from a sixth-round pick turned seven-time Super Bowl champion, that advice carries weight. Brady famously fell to pick No. 199 in the 2000 NFL Draft. And went on to become the greatest quarterback in NFL history. His message to Sanders was both personal and pointed: Your draft position doesn’t define your destiny.
Browns Already Impressed by Sanders’ Swagger
While the outside world debates the significance of the Shedeur Sanders draft drop, those inside the Browns’ locker room are focused on something else: his confidence.
Veteran Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II recently spoke about Sanders’ early presence at rookie minicamp. And from the sounds of it, Sanders is already turning heads.
“He’s got that ‘it’ factor,” Newsome said in a recent interview. “You can feel it. He walks into the room, and you know he’s here to compete.”
Newsome noted Sanders’ poise and energy stood out immediately. While there’s still a long way to go, the Browns seem genuinely excited about what Sanders brings to the table, not just physically, but mentally.
The Fast food KFC couldn’t wait to show their support also for Sander’s.
“The Colonel was rejected 1,009 times before finally landing our famous original recipe. Sometimes all a Sanders needs is a little time to cook. Congrats Shedeur!” KFC commented on Shedeur Sanders’ post on his X account.
Shedeur Sanders Draft Drop: A Fall That Might Set Up a Rise
The Shedeur Sanders draft drop may have disappointed some fans, but with encouragement from legends like Tom Brady and early support from his new teammates, the stage is set for a possible redemption arc.
If Sanders can take the chip on his shoulder and turn it into motivation, this draft slide could be the best thing that ever happened to him. He’s now in a locker room that believes in him—and more importantly, he believes in himself.
Related: All 32 NFL Teams Ranked by How Often They Act Like the Victim