The National Football League (NFL) is reeling after fiery comments from veteran sports commentator Colin Cowherd, who did not hesitate to fiercely criticize Deion Sanders and his son, Shedeur Sanders, for their “insane” decisions during the player draft. Shedeur Sanders, who was expected to be one of the NFL’s brightest rookies, surprisingly turned down several top teams, choosing a path few anticipated. This has not only left him on the bench for the Cleveland Browns in the opening weeks of his career but has also ignited a fierce debate about power, ambition, and the guidance of young players in this grueling league.

The controversy began when Deion Sanders, an NFL legend and Shedeur’s father, appeared on the “New Heights” podcast. There, he was asked about rumors that his son had rejected interest from top-tier teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens during the draft. Deion Sanders scoffed at the idea that Shedeur would willingly join a team that already had a long-term starting quarterback. This statement immediately fueled a new wave of debate about Shedeur and his place in the NFL, especially when Colin Cowherd, with his characteristically blunt style, could no longer stay silent.

On his show, Cowherd expressed deep frustration, openly blasting Deion and Shedeur Sanders for believing the young quarterback had enough talent to dictate his own terms—a rarity for rookies. He called Deion’s actions in steering Shedeur away from some of the best teams in football “insane.” “This isn’t about you, Prime Time,” Cowherd asserted, referring to Deion Sanders’ famous nickname. “Your son doesn’t have Prime Time talent. You were a Prime Time talent, totally different ballgame. You’re projecting your talent onto your son.” Cowherd also argued that the story was being “undercovered” because of Deion’s media popularity, but he insisted, “this is insane”.

Cowherd’s points touch on a core issue in the NFL: the path to stardom. Many great quarterbacks, like Tom Brady or Jalen Hurts, spent time learning from the sidelines for a few years before seizing their opportunity to shine. They weren’t expected to be immediate starters but used their time on the bench to hone their skills. “There isn’t just one way to become an NFL star,” Cowherd argued, alluding to Sanders’ mockery of learning from the bench. Ironically, Shedeur is now on the bench in Cleveland. This raises the question of whether he can prove he was right to avoid Philadelphia and Baltimore when his time comes.

Colin Cowherd has built his career on sharp, polarizing takes. He doesn’t shy away from calling out stars, coaches, or entire franchises when he feels their decision-making doesn’t add up. When it came to Deion Sanders and his son, Shedeur, allegedly influencing the NFL draft process by turning down certain teams, Cowherd wasted no time sharpening his commentary. On his nationally syndicated show, Cowherd declared, “You don’t get to choose your boss in the NFL draft”. “That’s the beauty of it, that’s the business.” He emphasized that if Shedeur and Deion were truly steering him away from franchises like the Ravens or Eagles, it was “insane, insane”.

This wasn’t just a throwaway rant; it was Cowherd’s classic mix of disbelief, condescension, and the big-picture warning he loves to deliver. As soon as his words hit the airwaves, the sports world buzzed with equal parts agreement and outrage.

Draft Day Drama

The NFL draft is supposed to be a young player’s introduction to humility. You don’t pick your city, your coach, or your teammates. You’re thrown into the system, molded, tested, and you either sink or swim. That’s how legends are made. However, according to multiple reports, Deion Sanders, never one to shy away from controlling a narrative, had drawn lines in the sand about where Shedeur would or wouldn’t go. Rumors swirled that Shedeur, one of the most hyped quarterbacks to enter the 2025 draft, had no interest in being Lamar Jackson’s understudy in Baltimore. Likewise, whispers said the Eagles were crossed off the list because Jalen Hurts wasn’t going anywhere.

Instead, Shedeur wound up in Cleveland, a place Cowherd often describes as “where quarterbacks go to die.” For him, that was the ultimate irony. “So let me get this straight,” Cowherd mocked, his voice rising with his signature exasperation, “you say no to stable franchises, loaded rosters, Super Bowl windows, and you sign up for the Browns with that history? That’s not confidence, that’s delusion.”

Deion’s Shadow

Much of Cowherd’s criticism wasn’t just about Shedeur; it was aimed squarely at Deion Sanders, the ever-watchful father and head coach at Colorado who had orchestrated the entire “Prime Time” renaissance in college football. For Cowherd, Deion represents a paradox: on one hand, he admires the swagger, the marketing genius, and the revival of a dead program; on the other, he sees a dangerous overreach. “This isn’t Colorado anymore,” Cowherd said. “This is the NFL. This is 32 billion-dollar corporations that don’t bend to the will of one family. Deion’s trying to play chess with NFL owners, and I’ve got news for him: it’s not going to work.”

The remark cut deep because, for many critics, Deion’s heavy hand in Shedeur’s career feels like both a blessing and a curse. On the college stage, it made Shedeur a star. But in the pros, where every decision is scrutinized by analysts, fans, and executives alike, it risks painting Shedeur as entitled before he’s even taken a snap.

Shedeur’s Perspective

To be fair, Shedeur Sanders has been calm and measured whenever asked about his career path. He’s not loud like his dad; he’s polished, almost corporate in interviews. His brand is built around preparation, poise, and precision. So, while Cowherd labeled the draft maneuvering “insane,” Shedeur’s camp has quietly pushed a different narrative: this wasn’t arrogance, it was strategy. Why sit behind Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts for three years when you could start right away, write your own legacy, and avoid wasting the early years of your prime?

In Shedeur’s mind, landing in Cleveland wasn’t a curse; it was an opportunity. The Browns, desperate for a franchise quarterback after years of instability, were ready to hand him the keys immediately. That’s a dream scenario for any young QB. But Cowherd wasn’t buying it. “The NFL eats young quarterbacks alive,” he thundered, “especially ones who think they can outsmart the system. You need support, stability, and structure, and you turned down all of it because you wanted to be the star on day one. That’s not confidence, that’s ego disguised as confidence.”

Fan Reaction

The fan base split quickly. Some agreed with Cowherd, with social media lighting up with takes like, “He hasn’t played a single NFL down and he’s already picky about teams. Colin’s right, this is wild. Deion’s living through his son and it’s going to backfire.” But others clapped back hard: “What’s insane is Cowherd acting like QBs don’t have power. Eli Manning forced his way out of San Diego. John Elway refused to play for Baltimore. This isn’t new. Shedeur’s just doing what’s best for his career. Nobody wants to sit for 5 years.” It became yet another culture war within sports, a battle between traditionalists who love the draft structure and modernists who see player empowerment as inevitable.

For Cowherd, though, the “insane” part wasn’t just about Shedeur; it was about the precedent. If every college star started dictating where they’d go, the draft would unravel. “This isn’t the NBA,” he warned. “You can’t just say ‘I’m only playing in New York or LA.’ The NFL is built on parity. That’s why dynasties end, that’s why underdogs rise.” If we start letting players cherry-pick destinations, it destroys the league’s balance; it destroys what makes the NFL great. And that’s where his voice cracked into pure passion. For Cowherd, football is a meritocracy: you prove yourself in whatever city, whatever system, with whatever roster you’re given. If Shedeur doesn’t buy into that, Cowherd believes he’ll find out the hard way.