Travis Kelce defends Shedeur Sanders, says Browns might have landed a future starter in bold draft pick

In what can only be described as one of the most startling twists in recent NFL Draft memory, Shedeur Sanders, once touted as a potential first-round selection, tumbled all the way to Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Cleveland Browns finally picked him at No. 144 overall, leaving many wondering what went so drastically wrong in a span of weeks.

While some insiders claim Shedeur Sanders’ fall was due to teams not viewing him as a top-tier talent, others pointed to his pre-draft interviews and perceived demeanor as factors that might have turned front offices away. However, not everyone is buying that narrative, and one of the league’s biggest voices has stepped up in his defense—Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce.
On his podcast New Heights, Kelce delivered a passionate and explicit takedown of the anonymous executives and scouts who publicly criticized Sanders while hiding behind anonymity.

"I think whoever's the f------ anonymous person that's f------ saying this should f------ come out and say who they were," Kelce said. "Like what the f--- is that about? Like if you're gonna leak that f----- s---, f------ be the one that says, 'Yeah it just didn't go well for us.' Don't f------ say that we're anonymous, you know?"
The remarks, as fiery as they were unfiltered, shed light on a broader frustration felt by many around the league. For a young quarterback like Sanders—who's carried the expectations of being Deion Sanders’ son and has been a centerpiece in college football headlines for years—the fall was both unexpected and harsh. It wasn’t just about football ability; it felt personal.
Reports, including one from CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones, claimed Sanders’ draft plunge was “a repudiation by the NFL of how Shedeur Sanders and those around him handled the entire NFL Draft process.” But Kelce wasn't buying it. From his perspective, this wasn’t a talent issue, but potentially a case of overanalyzed intangibles and preconceived biases.
"I’m not sure why he dropped," Kelce admitted. "I’m not sure if it was the interviews or whether it was stuff they saw on film. What I saw on film, I thought he was a way higher pick. And I think that’s all that should matter."
Kelce’s comments underscore a common sentiment among many fans and players—that football should be about what happens between the lines, not what’s whispered behind closed doors. For a player like Sanders, whose college tape showcases mobility, poise, and leadership under pressure, the evaluation seems to have been colored by things far beyond the game itself.
More than just defending Sanders, Kelce voiced genuine excitement about the young quarterback’s future with the Cleveland Browns.
"God, I love this for Cleveland," Kelce said. "I really do, man. The Browns fan deep down in my heart is just like, 'F--- yeah.'"
While Sanders may not have entered the league with the fanfare many predicted months ago, he now finds himself in a situation that could be ideal for growth. Cleveland has a passionate fanbase, a talented roster, and perhaps most importantly, an opportunity for Sanders to prove doubters wrong.
"This is gonna be such a fresh start for him," Kelce said. "I could see him working his ass off and becoming the starting quarterback in Cleveland at some point for sure."
In the end, the NFL Draft is as much about perception as it is potential. Sanders’ story is now one of redemption and motivation. With vocal allies like Travis Kelce in his corner and the drive to rewrite his own narrative, Shedeur Sanders might just become the star many believed he was—just a few rounds later than expected.
Also Read: Travis Kelce and Justin Timberlake’s viral dance moment raises eyebrows—when did these two become so close?