Unveiling reasons why Raiders overlooked Shedeur Sanders. Does it indicate loyalty towards Geno Smith?
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | May 2, 2025, 09.25 PM IST
The 2025 NFL Draft had its fair share of curveballs, but one of the most baffling came courtesy of the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite months of buzz linking them to Shedeur Sanders, the former Colorado quarterback never landed in Vegas. Instead, he fell all the way to the fifth round, where the Cleveland Browns made the move the Raiders wouldn’t. For a franchise still searching for a long-term solution under center, the decision has left fans and analysts alike questioning what went wrong.
Did Raiders overlook Shedeur Sanders for all the wrong reasons?
Heading into the draft, many viewed Shedeur Sanders as a potential fit for Las Vegas, a dynamic playmaker with leadership traits, football pedigree, and media appeal. With veteran QB Geno Smith under contract but approaching 35, the idea of grooming a successor made perfect sense.
Yet the Raiders never prioritized Sanders. Instead, they used their later picks on developmental names like Cam Miller and Tommy Mellott, athletes with upside, sure, but not the high-profile prospect Sanders represented.
Inside the Raiders’ risky QB Draft decision
According to The Athletic, an NFL executive suggested head coach Pete Carroll’s long standing relationship with Geno Smith may have influenced the call. “Pete doesn’t want to do Geno like Atlanta did Cousins,” the source said, referencing the Falcons' bold move to draft Michael Penix Jr. despite signing Kirk Cousins just weeks earlier. But is maintaining harmony with a veteran QB a valid reason to bypass a talented, high-upside rookie?
In today’s NFL, sentimentality rarely leads to success. If Carroll allowed personal history to overshadow long-term planning, that’s a gamble the Raiders can’t afford. Quarterback is the most critical position in the game, if you believe a prospect can lead your franchise for the next decade, you make the move. Period.
Also Read: Shedeur Sanders’ arrogance and Deion’s overconfidence cost him $50 Million, NFL insiders reveal
It’s also possible Las Vegas simply didn’t view Shedeur Sanders as a future star, preferring to wait for what’s expected to be a stronger 2026 quarterback class. But by letting Sanders land in Cleveland, they’ve opened the door to years of comparisons and second-guessing.
If Shedeur succeeds in the AFC North, the Raiders might regret playing it too safe in the 2025 draft.
Did Raiders overlook Shedeur Sanders for all the wrong reasons?
Heading into the draft, many viewed Shedeur Sanders as a potential fit for Las Vegas, a dynamic playmaker with leadership traits, football pedigree, and media appeal. With veteran QB Geno Smith under contract but approaching 35, the idea of grooming a successor made perfect sense.
Yet the Raiders never prioritized Sanders. Instead, they used their later picks on developmental names like Cam Miller and Tommy Mellott, athletes with upside, sure, but not the high-profile prospect Sanders represented.
Inside the Raiders’ risky QB Draft decision
According to The Athletic, an NFL executive suggested head coach Pete Carroll’s long standing relationship with Geno Smith may have influenced the call. “Pete doesn’t want to do Geno like Atlanta did Cousins,” the source said, referencing the Falcons' bold move to draft Michael Penix Jr. despite signing Kirk Cousins just weeks earlier. But is maintaining harmony with a veteran QB a valid reason to bypass a talented, high-upside rookie?
In today’s NFL, sentimentality rarely leads to success. If Carroll allowed personal history to overshadow long-term planning, that’s a gamble the Raiders can’t afford. Quarterback is the most critical position in the game, if you believe a prospect can lead your franchise for the next decade, you make the move. Period.
Also Read: Shedeur Sanders’ arrogance and Deion’s overconfidence cost him $50 Million, NFL insiders reveal
It’s also possible Las Vegas simply didn’t view Shedeur Sanders as a future star, preferring to wait for what’s expected to be a stronger 2026 quarterback class. But by letting Sanders land in Cleveland, they’ve opened the door to years of comparisons and second-guessing.
If Shedeur succeeds in the AFC North, the Raiders might regret playing it too safe in the 2025 draft.