Deion Sanders’ Son Left Hanging – Why Did NFL Teams Abandon Shedeur?

The 2025 NFL Draft has been full of surprises, but few stories are as shocking — or as heartbreaking — as the dramatic fall of Shedeur Sanders. Once projected as a top-10 pick and heralded as a future NFL star, the Colorado quarterback and son of football icon Deion Sanders watched in disbelief as round after round passed without his name being called. Now, the question haunting fans and analysts alike is simple: why did NFL teams abandon Shedeur Sanders?

Coming into the draft, Sanders had every reason to believe he would be one of the first players off the board. His college career at Colorado was nothing short of remarkable. Armed with a powerful arm, pinpoint accuracy, and the ability to extend plays under pressure, he broke multiple school records and showcased a level of leadership rare for someone his age. His football IQ, combined with his ability to thrive in high-pressure moments, had many scouts raving that he was ready to step in as a starter from day one.

Mock drafts consistently placed him inside the top 10, and some even dared to predict he might sneak into the top five. His pedigree — as the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders — only added to the buzz. Yet when the draft began, the excitement quickly turned into a nightmare. Teams that seemed like perfect fits passed on him. Quarterbacks with lesser résumés heard their names called while Sanders remained on the board, his dreams delayed and his confidence tested.

Theories about his shocking slide are flying fast. Some insiders speculate that concerns about Sanders’ ability to transition to pro-style offenses played a role. Others suggest that his high profile, thanks to his famous father and significant NIL endorsements, may have made some general managers wary. Still others point to whispers about decision-making under pressure or doubts about his ability to read NFL-level defenses quickly. Yet despite these theories, no one can offer a clear explanation that fully accounts for why one of the most talented quarterbacks in the draft was left hanging.

Patrick Mahomes, one of the game’s greatest quarterbacks, captured the mood perfectly with a simple one-word post on X: “Crazy.” Mahomes, who knows firsthand how draft-day surprises can fuel greatness, seemed to speak for the entire football world. If Mahomes sees something special in Sanders, it begs the question: what did teams miss?

Deion Sanders, ever the fierce protector of his son, has not publicly lashed out, but sources close to the family describe a mix of disappointment and determination. Those who know Shedeur well say he will use this slight as fuel, just as countless stars before him have turned draft-day humiliation into Hall of Fame motivation.

As Day 3 of the draft looms, teams still looking for a franchise quarterback may end up getting a steal. And Shedeur Sanders, left hanging when the spotlight was supposed to shine the brightest, now has a new mission: prove them all wrong.