Rumors swirl around the Browns: Deion Sanders' graceful action following Shedeur Sanders' draft pick
Gearing Up for the Gridiron: Shedeur Sanders and the Browns
In Round 5 of the 2025 NFL Draft, the tumultuous journey for Shedeur Sanders came to an end with the Cleveland Browns. But this selection didn't come easy, as it seemed Sanders had been the talk of the first round at one point.
This dramatic change of events didn't sit well with Sanders or his team, butfamily. Deion Sanders, however, kept his cool. According to espn.com, the legendary ex-footballer FaceTimed the Browns' general manager, Andrew Berry, with whom he had built a strong rapport during the pre-draft process.
Deion's familiarity with Browns quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave, a friend and teammate from their time together with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994, played a significant role in this connection.
Sanders' Draft Day Suspense
The draft must have been nerve-wracking for the passionate quarterback, but Berry ended the anxiety with a call that cemented Sanders' fate with the Browns. "Hey, I know it's been a long weekend," Berry said. "We're going to take you off the board here. All right, brother?"
"Yes, sir, let's do it," an enthusiastic Sanders replied.
"Let's get ready to go to work and prove all the people who passed on you wrong," Berry said, firing up the new selection.
Did the Browns Regret Passing on Sanders?
Surprisingly, the Browns passed on Sanders six times before trading up to secure his talents in the fifth round. The most noticeable of these passed opportunities occurred in Round 3, when they took Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
This tense situation was not unlike the 1994 NFL Draft, when Washington took Heath Shuler with the No. 3 overall pick, only to later draft Gus Frerotte in the seventh round. In that draft, Washington inexplicably passed on Hall of Fame defensive tackle Bryant Young, who went No. 7 to the 49ers. The roster missed out on not one, but three second-round Hall of Famers as well: WR Isaac Bruce, C Kevin Mawae, and guard Larry Allen.
Berry tried to justify the team's decision after the draft, claiming they felt Sanders was priced lower than his projected value in the draft. However, the only way for Sanders to exceed this estimation is if Gabriel were to underperform. Berry's logic seems to fall apart when scrutinized.
In summary, the Browns' decision to trade up for Sanders in the fifth round, after initially passing on him multiple times, was a strategic move designed to bolster their quarterback depth at a lower cost in terms of draft capital. This tactic could prove to be a game-changer for the Browns if Sanders outperforms expectations and helps lead them to victory.
- Deion Sanders facetimed the Browns' general manager, Andrew Berry, despite the rumors of a tumultuous journey for Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft, showing his support for his son during the draft process.
- Bill Musgrave, the Browns' quarterbacks coach, who shares a history with Deion Sanders from their time together with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994, played a significant role in Deion's connection with the team.
- Sanders' Draft Day Suspense ended when Browns' general manager, Andrew Berry, called him and expressed his interest in the passionate quarterback, setting the stage for a potential collaboration between the two.
- Despite passing on Sanders six times before trading up to secure him in the fifth round, the Browns' decision to select him could prove to be a strategic move to bolster their quarterback depth at a lower cost in terms of draft capital, potentially leading to victory in the football season.
