One veteran NFL assistant coach and a longtime AFC executive didn’t spare former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
Sanders, who could be a top-three pick or even slide to the second round, had negative interviews with two teams, whose personnel didn’t hold back in NFL Network’s draft evaluation by Tom Pelissero.
Sanders was “the worst formal interview I’ve ever been in in my life,” said one longtime NFL assistant coach.
“He’s so entitled. He takes unnecessary sacks. He never plays on time. He has horrible body language. He blames teammates. … But the biggest thing is, he’s not that good.”
Another veteran AFC executive explained that his team’s interview with Sanders “didn’t go great.”
“He wants to dictate what he’s going to do and what’s best for him. He makes you feel small,” the exec said.
Other executives and coaches around the league had positive things to say about Sanders, who was the the Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a senior last fall.
Some NFC assistant coaches praised him for being a talented passer and said he needs to develop and get stronger.
The quarterback, who is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, has been was under a microscope since February’s NFL Scouting Combine, where some said he acted “brash” and “entitled.”
NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt said he was “triggered” and “in my feelings” by the anonymous reviews in Pelissero’s evaluation.
“Shut up anonymous coach! I am so triggered by this. Shut up!” Brandt said, calling it “bullcrap”, among other things. “I think it’s tasteless. I think the timing is ridiculous … Is it really the worst interview? Or are you just going for a headline?
“Maybe the vibe you set in the room was critical and maybe Shedeur picked up on that and maybe he was right … because the first second you could, you went anonymously and started spouting off about this player.
“I see entitlement in a grown professional who’s going around anonymously destroying young athletes with very personal quotes anonymously as they’re about to realize their dream and become professionals.”
Many have interpreted Sanders’ overly confident demeanor as cockiness.
His father, who coached him at Colorado for two seasons after the pair left FCS Jackson State, said he’s being treated differently because of his last name.
Sanders threw a school-record 64 touchdown passes over two seasons at Colorado.
His jersey was retired last weekend, along with receiver-cornerback hybrid Travis Hunter, who’s expected to be a top pick Thursday.
The Titans hold the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, followed by the Giants at No. 2 and the Browns have the third pick.
The expectation is both the Browns and Giants will pass on Sanders, which could have him tumbling to the Steelers with the 21st pick or the second round.
The 2025 NFL Draft, taking place in Green Bay, Wis., begins Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET, followed by Rounds 2-3 on Friday and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday.
It will air on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.
