Tom Brady reveals why Raiders rejected Shedeur Sanders in NFL Draft slide
Context:
Tom Brady, now a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, clarified that he was not involved in the decision-making process regarding the NFL Draft pick of Shedeur Sanders. Despite speculation that Brady might have influenced some of the Raiders' draft choices, he stated he had no part in evaluating Sanders. Sanders was ultimately not selected by any NFL team until the Cleveland Browns picked him in the fifth round. Brady's famous jersey number, 12, will be worn by Sanders, symbolically linking the two. The future of Sanders' career is now independent of Brady's influence, resting solely on his performance and opportunities with the Browns.
Dive Deeper:
Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, has become a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, but his influence on the team's draft decisions appears limited. He explicitly mentioned that he had no involvement in the evaluation process concerning Shedeur Sanders.
There were rumors that Brady had an influence on some of the Raiders' draft picks, such as sixth-round selections Tommy Mellott and Cam Miller. However, Brady's statement about Sanders suggests his input was not considered in all decisions.
Shedeur Sanders, despite his potential, was passed over by all NFL teams multiple times before being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round, indicating a lack of consensus on his immediate value among teams.
Sanders is set to wear the number 12 jersey, famously associated with Brady, which adds a narrative link between the two, even as Sanders carves out his own path in professional football.
The outcome of Sanders' career in the NFL is now contingent on his performance and development with the Browns, independent of any association with Brady or his previous achievements.
Raiders minority owner Tom Brady is a bit more famous for his previous career.
But now the seven-time Super Bowl champion has an influence over the Las Vegas NFL team, apparently only sometimes.
Brady said recently that the Raiders' choice not to pursue Shedeur Sanders in the NFL Draft wasn't up to him.
"I wasn’t a part of any evaluation process or to see that," Brady said of the Sanders decision.
There's been the impression that some of the Raiders picks, including popular sixth-rounders Tommy Mellott and Cam Miller, were influenced by Brady.
If that's true, it's hard to believe Brady had no thoughts on Sanders.
Maybe others in the Raiders organization overrode him, essentially making Brady's opinions null-and-void.
Or maybe this isn't the whole truth.
Either way, Sanders went by every NFL team a handful of times before the Browns took him in the fifth round at No. 144 overall.
Sanders is going to wear No. 12 on his uniform, Brady's number.
And what happens from here will be up to Sanders, not Brady or anyone else with another team.