Key Points Summary – Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft Shock
- Stephen A. Smith says Shedeur Sanders’ draft snub smells like collusion!
- Smith compares it to Colin Kaepernick’s NFL fallout.
- Five quarterbacks were drafted ahead of Sanders.
- Criticism over Sanders’ attitude and Deion Sanders’ influence.
- NFL world divided: is this about talent, personality—or something darker?
Stephen A. Smith Thinks the NFL Has a Huge Problem — And It’s All About Shedeur Sanders
The 2025 NFL Draft has been filled with excitement, surprises — and now a brewing scandal.
At the center of the storm? None other than Shedeur Sanders, the superstar Colorado quarterback and son of football legend Deion Sanders.
Once projected as a possible No. 1 overall pick, Shedeur shockingly went undrafted through the first three rounds.
And now, Stephen A. Smith is saying what many are thinking — but few are daring to say out loud.
Smith Explodes: “This Smells Like Kaepernick All Over Again!”
Late Friday night, Stephen A. Smith dropped a bombshell on X (formerly Twitter).
He shared a message he received from a trusted source and said it felt “absolutely correct.”
His words?
“This is a bad look for the NFL. This feels like (Colin) Kaepernick-level collusion.”
Smith didn’t hold back, calling it “a damn disgrace” that Sanders, with his talent and pedigree, was still sitting there — unpicked, unwanted, and ignored.
More Fire From Stephen A.: “This Will Overshadow the Whole Draft!”
Smith wasn’t finished.
He blasted the NFL owners, accusing them of colluding behind closed doors, ruining the league’s reputation:
“All the hard work the NFL League Office puts in to eradicate these kinds of perceptions, only to turn around and watch as the OWNERS look like they’re colluding, messing up everything.”
Smith warned that the Shedeur Sanders scandal would overshadow everything else from this year’s draft — and he’s not wrong.
Social media exploded as fans demanded answers.
Why Was Shedeur Sanders Snubbed?
Some scouts still argue it’s about football flaws:
- Holds onto the ball too long (leading to too many sacks).
- Limited mobility outside the pocket.
- Tough pre-draft interviews—where Sanders reportedly “sandbagged” teams he wasn’t interested in.
But many believe that his father, Deion Sanders, played a huge role too.
Teams worried Deion would criticize franchises publicly if they mishandled Shedeur — causing unwanted media storms.
According to CBS insider Jonathan Jones:
“This feels like a repudiation by the NFL of how Shedeur Sanders and those around him handled the entire process.”
The Comparison to Colin Kaepernick
Smith’s comparison isn’t subtle.
He’s linking Sanders’ fall to the NFL’s infamous treatment of Colin Kaepernick, the former 49ers quarterback who led protests against racial injustice and found himself unofficially blackballed from the league.
- Kaepernick led his team to a Super Bowl.
- Kaepernick became a free agent — and no one would sign him.
- Kaepernick sued the NFL for collusion.
- The NFL settled the lawsuit in 2019, but the damage was done.
And now, Smith suggests that Shedeur Sanders is being “Kaepernicked” for different reasons — but the end result looks eerily similar.
Quarterbacks Picked Ahead of Sanders
Just to pour more salt on the wound, here’s who went before Sanders:
- Cam Ward — Tennessee Titans (No. 1 overall)
- Jaxson Dart — New York Giants
- Dillon Gabriel — Cleveland Browns
- Tyler Shough — New Orleans Saints
- Jalen Milroe — Seattle Seahawks
Many analysts — including ESPN’s own Mel Kiper Jr. — had Sanders ranked as the No. 1 QB before the draft.
How did it go so wrong?
Fans React: Outrage Erupts Over Shedeur’s Fall
NFL Twitter and sports forums lit up in fury:
- “There’s NO WAY 5 guys are better than Shedeur. NO WAY.”
- “They’re punishing Deion by punishing his son. Disgusting.”
- “The NFL still hasn’t learned anything from the Kaepernick fiasco.”
- “Someone’s going to steal Shedeur and look like a genius.”
The general feeling?
This isn’t just a football story. It’s about power, politics, and punishment.
What’s Next for Shedeur Sanders?
- Will he be drafted in the later rounds?
- Will he refuse to sign if he doesn’t like the team?
- Could Deion Sanders launch a media blitz if Shedeur goes undrafted?
There’s a ton of uncertainty — but one thing is for sure:
Shedeur’s journey is no longer just about football.
It’s a cultural moment. A moment the NFL can’t hide from.
Stephen A. Smith Shedeur Sanders Draft Theory Rocks NFL
Stephen A. Smith has once again put himself in the middle of the biggest sports controversy.
His belief that Shedeur Sanders is facing “Kaepernick-level collusion” has fired up fans and forced the NFL to answer some uncomfortable questions.
Is Shedeur’s fall really about football? Or something much bigger?
We’re all watching now.
And the NFL knows it.
