Shedeur Sanders is one of the most controversial rookies of recent memory. However, much of the post-draft stories have been out of his control. The latest report indicates that there was some serious collusion at the time of the 2025 NFL Draft.
So much so that an insider broke the news on national television.
“We Were Told Not To” Shedeur Sanders Sees Bombshell Collusion Exposed (Watch)
Aug 16, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
During last April’s draft, Eric Dickerson made a controversial claim that the NFL wanted to “make an example” of Shedeur Sanders:
Dickerson alleged during an appearance on the “Roggin and Rodney Show” on AM 570 LA Sports this week that he had heard about the messaging to teams through a “very good source” that was connected to the NFL.
Sanders was selected in the fifth round by the Browns after he had been projected to go in the first round in the months leading up to the draft, but questions surrounding the way he handled the draft process seemed to impact his draft stock.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer alleged it went beyond that.
“I tell you this much, what I heard from someone that’s in the NFL that the NFL told [teams] don’t draft him, do not draft him,” Dickerson said. “We’re going to make an example out of him. And this came from a very good source, a very good source.”
Aug 16, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders looks on during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders looks on during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
But apparently, Sanders had fallen much further than anticipated and some league officials called the Browns and “forced” them to take him with the 144th overall pick.
“He said that – I won’t say who – somebody called the Cleveland Browns and said ‘don’t do that, draft him,’” Dickerson said. “Because they weren’t going to draft him either… They were forced into drafting him because somebody made a call to them.”
When asked what the point would have been — if it had been to make so he doesn’t get picked — Dickerson said that the NFL was “going to have him not get drafted to basically show you ‘this is what happens when you do this.’”
But one NFL insider refuted what Dickerson had heard.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer told Dan Patrick on the “Dan Patrick Show” that he thought those “sorts of conspiracies are a little overdone.”
“I don’t think there was any conspiracy here,” he added. “I think it’s relatively simple what happened. I think the great majority of NFL teams did not view him as a first-round prospect contrary to what had been out there for the year previous.
“And then I think what happens is once you get past the first round, you look at the history over the years, not a lot of quarterbacks go in the second or third rounds…”
Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) reacts after the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) reacts after the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Joe Flacco will be the starting quarterback for the Browns when the season starts in a few weeks, but Sanders is expected to play in the Browns’ preseason game on Saturday.
Here is a look at Sander’s college stats:
An asterisk (*) indicates bowl stats are included.
Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) at the line of scrimmage in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) at the line of scrimmage in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
For All NFL And College Football Content:
Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) at @mcquadewarnold . Also, do not forget to follow us at On Twitter for even more great football content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in the world of the NFL – especially with all the trade rumors swirling around and free agency new s – college football, and more,click here!