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The 2025 NFL Draft delivered plenty of drama, but one of the biggest shockers came when Shedeur Sanders, the Colorado quarterback and son of Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders, slipped all the way to the fifth round.
Despite putting up 4,100 ing yards and 37 touchdowns during a breakout season and leading Colorado to a 9-4 record, Sanders had to wait until pick No. 144 to hear his name called by the Cleveland Browns.
Among the teams that ed on Sanders multiple times was the Las Vegas Raiders, who notably drafted two quarterbacks late in the process.
Their decision not to take Sanders raised eyebrows - especially given that NFL legend and current Raiders minority owner Tom Brady has mentored Sanders and has a personal connection with the Sanders family.
So when the Raiders opted to go in another direction at quarterback, some in the media quickly pointed fingers. One of the most vocal critics was Skip Bayless, who suggested that Brady had actively steered the team away from drafting Shedeur.
"It is now pretty clear Tom Brady - who mentored Shedeur - told the Raiders NOT to take Shedeur," Bayless posted on social media following the draft.
Brady fires back
Appearing on Jake Paul's Impaulsive podcast, the seven-time Super Bowl champion fired back at the speculation and dismissed the idea that he was involved in any player evaluation during the draft.
"I wasn't a part of any evaluation process. That's the problem with media. Everyone can say whatever the f**k they want," Brady said. "I actually texted Shedeur because I know him very well. I said, 'Dude, whatever happens, wherever you go ... that's your first day. Day 2 matters more than the draft.'"
But Bayless wasn't about to let it go. The outspoken commentator doubled down on his claim, accusing Brady of being dishonest.
"Tom Brady has called me out, I guess he's called me a liar," Bayless responded. "I'm about to call BS on Tom Brady, because Tom, you know and I know everything I said about you and Shedeur Sanders is obviously exactly right."
To his argument, Bayless pointed to public comments from new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, who emphasized the importance of building up the quarterback position and specifically said the organization planned to lean on Brady's experience and insight.
Bayless cited new Raiders general manager John Spytek, who acknowledged that Brady's presence would influence organizational decisions and described it as "foolish" not to utilize Brady's football mind.