Shedeur Sanders an x-factor in Bears-Browns tilt

As Shedeur Sanders was free-falling in the 2025 NFL Draft, he had a friend in Tom Brady. 

“I texted Shedeur because I know him very well,” Brady told Logan Paul of the “Impaulsive” podcast following the draft. “And I said, ‘Dude, whatever happens, wherever you go —  that’s your first day. Day 2 matters more than the draft. 

“I was [No.] 199 — so who can speak on it better than me, like what that really means. Use that as motivation. You’re gonna get your chances, go take advantage of it.” 

Sanders, who was rated the No. 5 player in the draft by ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. and still predicted to go in the first round by some on the eve of the draft as others foresaw his eventual decline, ended up sliding all the way down to No. 144 in the fifth round — to the Browns. 

That’s where Brady’s supportive case history falters. Brady went 199th overall in 2000, but to Bill Belichick and the Patriots, who while in rebuild mode, were hardly hapless. The Patriots were in the playoffs three of the four seasons under Pete Carroll before Brady was drafted. Brady took advantage of his opportunities, but also had the advantage of being at the right place at the right time. And the rest is history. 

Sanders, the son of Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, is in a much more difficult spot with the Browns, who have a history of mismanaging the quarterback position that rivals any team in the NFL. Trading for Deshaun Watson, a disaster on multiple fronts, and trading away Baker Mayfield, who became a two-time Pro Bowl quarterback with the Buccaneers — follows a string of quarterback misses since they re-started in 1999: DeShone Kizer, Cody Kessler, Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel, Brian Hoyer, Jason Campbell, Brandon Weeden, Colt McCoy and on and on and on. 

But Sanders already has one thing in common with Brady — he went from No. 4 on the depth chart as a rookie to starting. (Brady was behind Drew Bledsoe, John Friesz and Michael Bishop in his first training camp with the Patriots in 2000.)

Sanders was behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Dylan Gabriel in training camp this season. Pickett was traded before the season started. Flacco was traded in Week 5. Gabriel started six games before suffering a concussion against the Ravens in Week 11. 

Sanders replaced Gabriel against the Ravens and looked like he didn’t belong in the NFL — he completed 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards and an interception. Even coming in cold without any first-team reps seemed like a weak excuse for that performance. 

But to his credit, Sanders has made steady progress in three starts heading into Sunday’s game against the Bears at Soldier Field. Against the Titans last week, Sanders completed 23 of 42 passes (54.8%) for 364 yards, three touchdowns and one interception for a 97.7 passer rating — and also rushed for a touchdown in a 31-29 loss. 

But by the eye test, Sanders has a long way to go to prove his many doubters wrong. A good defense can expose his flaws. And therein lies the challenge for Dennis Allen and the Bears, who already have lost to Tyler Huntley this season. The only time Sanders faced a playoff team, he threw for 149 yards and produced eight points in a 26-8 loss to the 49ers. It’s a big game for Shedeur Sanders. But a bigger one for Allen an the Bears’ defense. 

---