Kristina Roberts
Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce recently spoke up in support of Shedeur Sanders, the young quarterback who faced a lot of criticism before the 2025 NFL Draft. Kelce didn’t hold back his feelings, calling out the unnamed coaches and scouts who talked badly about Sanders without revealing their identities. During an episode of his podcast New Heights, Kelce got emotional and used strong language to express his frustration. He demanded that those who criticized Sanders should have the courage to say who they were instead of hiding behind anonymity.
Kelce’s exact words were:
“I think whoever the fing anonymous person that is fing saying this should fing come out and say who they were. What the f* is that about?”*
He went on to praise Sanders’ skills, saying that based on what he saw in game footage, Sanders should have been picked much earlier in the draft. Kelce also believes Sanders has a bright future and could work hard enough to become the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, the team that eventually drafted him.
Shedeur Sanders, the son of famous coach Deion Sanders, was expected by many to be a first-round pick. However, he surprisingly fell to the fifth round, where the Browns selected him as the 144th overall pick. This was a big shock because Sanders had shown great talent during his college career. So, why did so many teams pass on him?
According to reports, some NFL teams were not happy with Sanders’ attitude during interviews. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network wrote that several teams felt Sanders came across as “entitled” and not humble enough. Boomer Esiason, a former NFL quarterback and current analyst, even claimed that at least three teams completely removed Sanders from their draft lists because of his behavior.
Despite the criticism, the Cleveland Browns decided to take a chance on him. When they called Sanders to tell him they were drafting him, Browns general manager Andrew Berry had a strong message for the young quarterback. He told Sanders to “prove everyone who passed on you wrong.” This shows that the Browns believe in Sanders’ potential and are giving him an opportunity to silence his critics.
The situation raises an important question: Should anonymous scouts and coaches be allowed to criticize players without revealing who they are? Kelce clearly thinks this is unfair. He believes if someone has negative opinions about a player, they should have the courage to say it openly instead of hiding behind “anonymous sources.” This way, the player knows exactly who is criticizing them and can respond directly.
Many fans and analysts agree with Kelce. They argue that anonymous criticism can hurt a player’s reputation without giving them a fair chance to defend themselves. On the other hand, some people say that scouts and coaches need to stay anonymous to speak freely without facing backlash. But Kelce’s point is that if you’re going to say something strong about a player, you should stand by your words.
Shedeur Sanders now has a big opportunity in front of him. Instead of being a first-round pick with high expectations, he’s entering the NFL as a fifth-round selection with a lot to prove. Sometimes, being underestimated can be a good thing—it gives a player extra motivation to work harder and show the world what they’re truly capable of. The Browns seem to believe Sanders can turn the negative talk into fuel for success.
This isn’t the first time a talented player has fallen in the draft due to off-field concerns. History has shown that some of the best NFL players were drafted late or even went undrafted because teams doubted them for various reasons. Tom Brady, for example, was picked in the sixth round and went on to become the greatest quarterback of all time. Sanders could use these stories as inspiration to prove that where you’re drafted doesn’t define your career.
At the end of the day, football is about performance on the field. If Sanders works hard, stays focused, and listens to his coaches, he could very well become a successful NFL quarterback. Kelce’s support will likely mean a lot to him, especially coming from one of the best tight ends in the league.
The lesson here is that words from anonymous sources can have a big impact, but they don’t have to decide a player’s future. Sanders now has the chance to control his own story. If he plays well, all the criticism before the draft will be forgotten. The NFL is a league where talent and hard work always shine through, no matter what people say behind closed doors.
As for Travis Kelce, his passionate defense of Sanders shows that he cares about fairness in the league. He wants players to be judged based on their skills and effort, not on rumors or unnamed opinions. His message is clear: If you’re going to criticize someone, have the courage to put your name on it.
The NFL Draft is always full of surprises, and Shedeur Sanders’ story is just one example of how unpredictable it can be. Now, all eyes will be on him as he begins his journey with the Cleveland Browns. Will he prove his doubters wrong? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Travis Kelce will be rooting for him every step of the way.
