Legendary NFL quarterback Cam Newton had some qualms about picking Deion Sanders’ son, Shedeur Sanders, No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. This is not because Shedeur Sanders is unskilled but because his convenient situation with the Colorado Buffaloes ensured that it will take him time to become NFL-ready.
Taking a quarterback who isn’t ready in the early rounds would hurt the Tennessee Titans’ roster-rebuilding aspirations, a mistake the team would not want to repeat after selecting Will Levis in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Cam Newton Gets Real About Shedeur Sanders, Tennessee Titans Situation
On ESPN’s First Take, the former Heisman winner shared his opinion about the scenarios heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. The Titans hold the No. 1 overall pick, and the franchise is reportedly looking for “generational talent” (per an executive member of Tennessee) that triggered several rumors around potential prospects, including Shedeur Sanders and Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward.
While speaking to the panel of Stephen A. Smith, Dan Orlovsky, and Molly Qerim, Newton mentioned that it could be Travis Hunter who gets picked No. 1 and not Shedeur or Cam Ward.
There is a reason why he made the pick. He believes the instant impact that Hunter brings would supersede the QB talents coming into the NFL. Moreover, he also made an eye-catching remark about Sanders.
“I want to see Shedeur picked as the first quarterback off the board,” Newton said on the show. “But Shedeur also does not want to be challenged. I said certain things and I’m just keep it it a buck and saying how I feel. That doesn’t negate how I feel about him, his brother, his other brother, his sister, and his father. There’s been history there.
“I’ve always challenged Shedeur. Publicly and, to him, in ways that are like — bro I want to see the best version of Shedeur. Shedeur has always played in a very convenient situation. I’ve said that numerous times,” he added.
His comments definitely raised many eyebrows, including Stephen A. Smith’s, who questioned what he meant by “not want to be challenged.”
Newton clarified that the conditions in college are different and rising to the pros, one cannot expect a notable impact in Year 1. By the time the Titans develop Sanders or Ward at QB, Hunter would be making his mark already.
Getting a new passer in free agency and building a roster around Hunter would be the most sensible thing for the Titans, according to Newton.
