Shedeur Sandersis no stranger to attention, but this time, he didn’t have to say a word to spark a wave of NFL speculation.
The former Colorado quarterback, widely expected to be a first-round pick in April’s NFL Draft, was seen walking around the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis with a trio of team hats dangling from his backpack-Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, and New Orleans Saints. That small detail was enough to send fans and analysts into overdrive, dissecting what it might mean for his future.
Shedeur Sanders’ NFL hat game keeps teams guessing
A closer look at the three teams
The Vikings and Saints are unlikely landing spots. Minnesota just drafted J.J. McCarthy in the first round last year, and New Orleans reaffirmed its commitment to Derek Carr as their QB1 at the combine this week. While the Saints could look for a long-term successor to Carr, their focus in the draft may be elsewhere.
Cleveland, on the other hand, presents an interesting case. The Browns’ quarterback situation is anything but stable–Deshaun Watson’s time in Cleveland has been turbulent, and now he’s rehabbing an Achilles injury expected to sideline him for significant time. With the second overall pick in the draft, Cleveland could very well be in the market for a quarterback.
Real interest or just a coincidence?
While the hat choice could simply be a fashion statement, there’s been legitimate chatter about Cleveland’s interest in Sanders. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported this week that the Browns have had informal meetings with the quarterback, though nothing has been made official yet.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has highlighted Sanders’ accuracy and pocket awareness as qualities that make him a strong first-round prospect. If the Browns are looking for a fresh start under center, Sanders could be a logical fit-especially considering his ability to handle the spotlight.
Whether the hats were a hint, a red herring, or just a stylistic choice, one thing is certain: Sanders has people talking. And in the lead-up to the NFL Draft, keeping people guessing is never a bad thing.
