Deion Sanders, the charismatic former NFL star and coach, recently dropped a bombshell that has the football world buzzing. According to Sanders, the Philadelphia Eagles expressed interest in drafting his son, Shedeur Sanders, during the recent NFL draft. This revelation adds another layer to Shedeur’s already intriguing draft journey, which saw him ultimately land with the Cleveland Browns. This article delves into the details of Deion’s revelation, exploring the implications and potential scenarios that could have unfolded had Shedeur landed in Philadelphia.
The Eagles’ interest in Shedeur Sanders highlights their ongoing efforts to solidify their quarterback position and plan for the future. While Jalen Hurts remains the team’s undisputed starter, having a promising young talent like Shedeur in the wings could provide valuable depth and competition. Moreover, the opportunity for Shedeur to learn from a proven winner like Hurts could have accelerated his development and prepared him for a potential starting role down the line.
Furthermore, we’ll examine Shedeur’s decision to turn down interest from the Baltimore Ravens, a Super Bowl contender with an established quarterback in Lamar Jackson. Deion’s explanation sheds light on Shedeur’s mindset and aspirations, revealing his desire to compete for a starting role rather than sit behind a veteran. We will also discuss the joint practice between the Eagles and the Browns. Join us as we dissect this intriguing story and explore the potential ramifications for both Shedeur Sanders and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Eagles Expressed Interest in Shedeur Sanders
Deion Sanders, during an episode of the New Heights podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce, revealed that the Philadelphia Eagles contacted them on draft day to express interest in Shedeur Sanders. This came as a surprise, as it was not previously known that the Eagles were in the mix for the former Colorado quarterback.
“How in the world, they made a big deal out of — Philly called us on draft day,” Deion Sanders said. “Uh, they didn’t mention that. I just let a cat out of the bag.”
The Eagles’ interest in Shedeur suggests that they saw potential in the young quarterback and were considering adding him to their roster. However, the Cleveland Browns ultimately traded ahead of the Eagles to select Shedeur with the 144th overall pick.
According to sources, the Eagles were impressed with Shedeur’s arm talent, accuracy, and leadership qualities. They believed that he could develop into a valuable asset for the team, either as a backup to Jalen Hurts or as a potential starter in the future.
What If Shedeur Sanders Had Joined the Eagles?
Had the Eagles successfully drafted Shedeur Sanders, he would have joined a quarterback room that included Jalen Hurts and Tanner McKee. This would have provided Shedeur with the opportunity to learn from a proven winner in Hurts and develop his skills under the guidance of the Eagles’ coaching staff.
Learning under a proven winner like Hurts could have been helpful for the young quarterback as he developed. During a lengthy discussion at the end of the Eagles-Browns joint practices, which Sanders mostly missed due to injury, Hurts still offered Sanders some advice.
While Hurts didn’t go into the specifics of his conversation with Sanders, he did say he’d continue “supporting him from where I am.”
However, the Eagles ultimately selected cornerback Mac McWilliams out of Central Florida and quarterback Kyle McCord out of Syracuse in the later rounds of the draft. The Eagles’ decision to pass on Shedeur Sanders suggests that they were not as high on him as other teams or that they had other priorities in the draft.
Shedeur Sanders Turned Down the Ravens
In addition to the Eagles’ interest, Deion Sanders also confirmed reports that Shedeur Sanders turned down interest from the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens, a Super Bowl contender with an established quarterback in Lamar Jackson, were reportedly interested in drafting Shedeur as a potential backup and developmental project.
Deion confirmed the reason Shedeur rebuffed the Ravens is because he never planned on learning under a franchise quarterback like Lamar Jackson in the first place.
“How in the world can somebody fault him for saying or thinking, ‘Why in the world would I go back up Lamar for 10 more years?’ Who comes in with that mindset?” Sanders said. “Where do these guys come from that sit on these platforms and say, ‘You should’ve sat behind and learned the game and developed?’ When have the pros developed anybody?
“By the time you get to the NFL they expect you to know what you need to do and do it, or somebody else is going to get in there and do it. … I’ve never sat on the bench and said, ‘Well, I learned a lot today.’”
Shedeur’s Mindset and Aspirations
Deion Sanders’ explanation sheds light on Shedeur’s mindset and aspirations. Shedeur’s decision to turn down the Ravens suggests that he is confident in his abilities and eager to compete for a starting role rather than sit behind a veteran quarterback.
Shedeur’s mindset reflects a growing trend among young quarterbacks who are eager to make an immediate impact in the NFL. With the rise of quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, teams are increasingly willing to give young quarterbacks opportunities to start early in their careers.
However, Shedeur’s decision also carries some risk. By turning down the opportunity to learn from a proven winner like Lamar Jackson, he may miss out on valuable mentorship and development. Additionally, he will face increased pressure to perform well early in his career to justify his decision.
While he may not find himself having to “back up Lamar for 10 more years,” Sanders was hardly the Day 1 starter in Cleveland. In fact, Shedeur has been slotted behind Browns starter Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, a 2025 third-round pick, on Cleveland’s depth chart and has yet to make an appearance in the regular season.
Deion Sanders’ Prediction for Shedeur
Despite Shedeur Sanders’ current position on the Browns’ depth chart, Deion Sanders remains optimistic about his son’s future in the NFL. He believes that Shedeur will get his opportunity to play this year and that he will be ready to make an impact when that time comes.
“You got to be ready when it’s time,” Sanders said. “But when it’s time, you’re going to know and it’s coming up. You know, I got a prediction, I ain’t telling nobody. I got a feeling when it’s going to go down. But, it’s going to go down this year. … He’s going to get his shot.”
Deion’s confidence in Shedeur is unwavering, and he believes that his son has the talent, work ethic, and determination to succeed in the NFL. Whether Shedeur will get his opportunity to play this year remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: he will be ready to make the most of it when it comes.
If Deion’s prediction comes true and Shedeur gets his chance to shine, it could have a significant impact on his career trajectory and the Browns’ future. A strong performance from Shedeur could solidify his position as the team’s long-term quarterback and potentially lead to a starting role in the future.
In Conclusion
The revelation that the Philadelphia Eagles expressed interest in drafting Shedeur Sanders adds another intriguing chapter to his draft journey. While he ultimately landed with the Cleveland Browns, the Eagles’ interest suggests that they saw potential in the young quarterback and were considering adding him to their roster.
Shedeur’s decision to turn down the Baltimore Ravens further highlights his confidence and desire to compete for a starting role. While this decision carries some risk, it also reflects a growing trend among young quarterbacks who are eager to make an immediate impact in the NFL.
Deion Sanders remains optimistic about Shedeur’s future and believes that he will get his opportunity to play this year. Whether that opportunity comes with the Browns or another team remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Shedeur Sanders is a quarterback to watch in the NFL.
The Eagles, meanwhile, will continue to evaluate their quarterback situation and explore potential options for the future. Whether they regret missing out on Shedeur Sanders remains to be seen, but his draft journey will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion in Philadelphia for years to come.
Leave a Reply