Tom Brady, widely considered one of the greatest NFL quarterbacks of all time, shared insights into the advice he offered to Shedeur Sanders after Sanders experienced a surprising slide in the recent NFL Draft. Sanders, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, was projected by some analysts to be a much higher pick, but ultimately landed with the Cleveland Browns as the No. 144 overall selection in the fifth round. Brady, who himself famously overcame a late-round draft position to achieve unparalleled success, drew upon his own experiences to guide the young quarterback.
Brady’s own draft story is legendary. He was the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, selected by the New England Patriots. At the time, the Patriots had a established starting quarterback in Drew Bledsoe. Brady began his rookie season as a backup, with Michael Bishop even receiving more playing time. John Friesz also saw action that year, further obscuring Brady’s path to the field. However, fate intervened in the 2001 season when Bledsoe suffered an injury, providing Brady with the opportunity to step in. He seized the moment, leading the Patriots to an improbable Super Bowl victory and launching a career that would redefine the quarterback position.
Brady discussed Sanders’ draft experience during an appearance on the "Impaulsive" podcast with Logan Paul and Mike Majlak. While acknowledging that he was not involved in Sanders’ evaluation process, despite being a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, Brady expressed empathy for the situation and criticized the media’s often overblown narratives surrounding the draft. He revealed that he had personally reached out to Sanders to offer encouragement and perspective.
"So, nobody knows. I actually texted Shedeur because I know him very well," Brady said. "And I said, ‘Dude, whatever happens, wherever you go, that’s your first day. Day 2 matters more than the draft. I was 199. So, who could speak on it better than me – what that really means. Use it as motivation. You’re gonna get your chances, go take advantage of it.’"
The relationship between Brady and Sanders began when Sanders was the quarterback at Jackson State University. He secured an NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal with Brady’s apparel brand, Brady Brand. This partnership fostered a connection between the two athletes, providing Sanders with exposure to Brady’s wisdom and experience. Subsequently, Sanders transferred to the University of Colorado, following his father’s appointment as head coach.
A recent lawsuit filed against the NFL alleging racial discrimination surrounding Shedeur Sanders’ draft slide further underscores the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the issue. While the legal proceedings unfold, Brady’s focus remained on providing Sanders with practical advice to navigate his new environment.
Brady also reflected on his own memories of watching the coverage surrounding Aaron Rodgers during the 2005 NFL Draft. Rodgers, widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick, ultimately slid to the 24th selection, where he was picked by the Green Bay Packers.
"I remember when they were talking about Aaron Rodgers sliding and Aaron slid to like 21 in the first round or whatever it was. I’m like, ‘Dude, you’re the 21st pick in the first round. I think they still think you’re pretty good. You’re still a great player. You’re still a first-round pick in the NFL. There’s only 32 of those guys every year.’ So, use it as motivation," Brady said. "Wherever you end up going, it’s still about your performance. Like, what do you do when you get there, because you’re gonna get there."
Brady highlighted that many of the successful players he played alongside during his tenure with the Patriots were not high draft picks or even drafted at all. He cited examples such as Rodney Harrison, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, and Danny Amendola. These players, who achieved considerable success in the NFL, serve as testaments to the fact that draft position does not always dictate a player’s ultimate potential.
Brady dismissed the NFL Draft as "some overhyped day, where a lot of people are selling stories and saying, all right, this is the big day, it’s the draft. And it’s an important day, it’s fun, and I love watching it and seeing it. But I’ve also been there on Day 2, where they actually gotta show up and learn a playbook, learn (to) be a part of a locker room. There’s a lot of growth that needs to happen."
Sanders now faces the challenge of competing for the starting quarterback position with the Browns. He will be vying against Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, and Dillon Gabriel. The competition will be intense, and Sanders will need to demonstrate his skills, leadership qualities, and ability to quickly grasp the Browns’ offensive system.
"He has to show up every day because, as a quarterback, you have to be a leader," Brady added. "And to me a leader is, do I care about my teammates and do I care about what we’re trying to accomplish?"
Brady’s message to Sanders underscored the importance of focusing on the present and future, rather than dwelling on the past. He emphasized that the draft is just the beginning of a player’s NFL journey and that hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude are essential for success. Sanders’ ability to embrace this mindset and translate it into on-field performance will be crucial as he embarks on his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns. He will have to earn the trust of his teammates, master the playbook, and consistently perform under pressure to secure his place as a leader on the team. Only time will tell whether Shedeur Sanders can overcome the adversity of his draft slide and forge a successful NFL career.
