CFL rules mandate that teams disclose 10 names from their negotiation list publicly, while the rest remain confidential among rival teams and league executives.
There are rumors that Sanders deliberately sabotaged interviews with several NFL teams to land with a preferred team. Despite his efforts, he became the sixth quarterback chosen and the second by Cleveland, which had already picked Dillon Gabriel from Oregon in the third round.
“This happens every year in the draft,” said former NFL quarterback and current NBC analyst Chris Simms. “Too many people early on in the process – too many unqualified people – make qualifying statements. And it misleads the public. I’ve been saying for six weeks, don’t be surprised if [Sanders] falls.”
Sanders is gearing up to vie with Gabriel for a spot on the Browns roster. With 2024 starter Deshaun Watson expected to sit out the season due to an Achilles injury, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett appear set to battle for the starting role.
A solid performance in training camp could secure Sanders a place on the team, or at the very least, on the practice squad. Failing that, he might look to continue his career in Canada.
What led to Sanders’ drop in the draft? Beyond lackluster interviews and inconsistent game footage, Simms suggested that the media frenzy surrounding the Sanders circus in training camp could be a factor.
“There’s the human aspect of, he’s going to come in here and everybody on our team, all they’re going to be asked about is Shedeur,” Simms says. “Nobody wants that type of distraction for a guy you know is not going to be playing for you right away. Most teams don’t want to deal with that.”
