Sean Payton Sounds Alarm on Shedeur Sanders After Surprising NFL Draft Drop

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is sending a clear message to the rest of the NFL after watching quarterback Shedeur Sanders tumble down this year’s draft board: underestimate him at your own risk.

The Broncos, fresh off a playoff run led by rookie standout Bo Nix, weren’t in the market for a new quarterback. But Payton kept a close eye on Sanders, who’d made plenty of noise at Colorado just a stone’s throw from Denver. When Sanders fell all the way to the fifth round and landed with the Cleveland Browns at pick No. 144, Payton couldn’t help but issue a word of warning.

Payton, who’s known Shedeur since his junior high days, remarked, “There’ll be this chip on his shoulder, and beware because this guy is going to play in this league.” That’s a pretty strong endorsement—and it’s not every day you hear a coach cheerleading a rival’s new prospect.

Payton attended Colorado’s pro day—dubbed the "We Ain’t Hard to Find Showcase" by Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders—and came away thoroughly impressed by Shedeur’s performance. Watching from right behind the quarterback as he threw, Payton said, “Holy cow, if you’re a team that needs a quarterback.” If only NFL teams could see through the fog of draft day drama as clearly as Payton claims to.

It wasn’t just Payton scratching his head. Around the league, execs like New England Patriots VP Eliot Wolf and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (who knows a thing or two about the Sanders family) were equally surprised by Shedeur’s slide. Even Browns GM Andrew Berry admitted Sanders was the best QB on the board when they picked him.

As for Sanders himself, he admitted this “wasn’t the plan,” especially after being projected as a first-rounder. Reports suggest his draft day descent might have been fueled by some awkward pre-draft meetings, but regardless, Sanders celebrated with his family when Cleveland finally called his name.

Now, he joins a crowded Browns quarterback room with Dillon Gabriel, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Deshaun Watson—though Watson’s status remains up in the air due to injury. Berry praised Sanders as "an impressive young man" and "a really good quarterback."

Looks like the Browns just got themselves a quarterback with a chip on his shoulder—and apparently, a coach in Denver who’ll be watching closely.