Shedeur Sanders’ First Coach Forced to Break Silence After Cam Newton’s Harsh Criticism

Brash. Arrogant. Worst interview ever. This was the consensus on Shedeur Sanders after his pre-draft interviews. Coaches and scouts were left “unimpressed” with him as uncertainty surrounded his draft future. But very saw it coming when Shedeur slipped through the draft rounds as he saw team after team overlook him. Despite being projected as a first-to-third-round pick, Shedeur was eventually picked by the Cleveland Browns at 144th overall in the 5th round. While for many fans and analysts, it was a surprise to see the Colorado QB slide down, whispers from the NFL Combine hinted at behind-the-scenes concerns. According to a league source via FOX Sports, “[Shedeur Sanders is] a good person, but people didn’t like the personality.”

Honestly, his arm talent, especially deep downfield, was never in question. But for some scouts and execs, the attitude raised red flags that talent alone couldn’t silence. Cam Newton, for example, offered an insight into what could hold Shedeur back in the NFL. In January, Newton mentioned on the ESPN podcast, “The thing about Shedeur, I am the guy that’s been pushing him to the greatness I want to see Shedeur pick early… but Shedeur also does not want to be challenged.”

This could have been a hint at Shedeur getting too comfortable with the system his father, Deion Sanders, deployed first at Jackson State and then at Colorado. This suggested that perhaps Shedeur was too rigid to adapt to a different style of play to suit his team’s needs. However, Michael Pollock, who coached Shedeur in Jackson and Boulder, has come to his defense.

On May 6, Pollock—one of Coach Prime’s most loyal lieutenants—had heard enough. After weeks of swirling rumors and shots fired at Shedeur, Pollock broke his silence. He jumped on social media, not with vague support, but with fire. The longtime CU assistant didn’t drop names, but his message was crystal clear. The talk about Shedeur flopping in a meeting with Giants coach Brian Daboll? Baseless. Still, for Pollock, this wasn’t analysis—it was a smear campaign. And he wasn’t letting it slide.

Pollock clapped back hard on X, writing, “I was the first OC that @ShedeurSanders had in college, and I have been with him throughout his college career. He has had multiple OC’s in college and has NEVER had a problem learning a new system, being prepared, and executing at a high level. STOP THE LIES!” wrote Pollock. No fluff. No filter. Just facts from a coach who’s seen it all.

Look, Michael Pollock knows Shedeur Sanders better than most. As Jackson State’s co-OC and QB coach in 2021, he guided a freshman Shedeur to 3,231 passing yards and 30 TDs straight out of the gate. Since then, Pollock’s worn multiple hats at Jackson State and now serves as CU’s special teams coordinator. But one thing hasn’t changed: his belief in Shedeur’s football brain, work ethic, and command of the game. He’s seen the grind up close—and he’s not letting false narratives fly unchecked.

After he was not being picked in the draft early on, the football community was left baffled, with the likes of Patrick Mahomes and others expressing their surprise. Taking to X, Mahomes wrote “Crazy,” while Bills safety Terrell Burgess tweeted, “They trippin now,” after Shedeur went undrafted in round 3.

We know Shedeur Sanders shattered records at CU, lighting up the stat sheet under the guidance of Pat Shurmur and Sean Lewis. The talent might be undeniable. But not everyone was sold.

His arm strength and accuracy are solid, but not standout traits. On short throws, the ball occasionally flutters out of his hand, an issue that even surfaced during his pro day. For teams that depend on quick, precision timing routes, that inconsistency is a legitimate concern. These issues, combined with some of his alleged off-field behavior, could have been a factor in his dwindling stock.

Cam Newton, who had already called out Shedeur once before, didn’t hold back. According to the former MVP, there’s more to Shedeur’s draft tumble than just football. In his eyes, attitude played just as big a role as arm strength. And when Cam speaks, people listen.

Cam Newton’s brutal take on Shedeur Sanders

Shedeur Sanders went from being the most sacked player in 2023 to boasting the highest completion percentage (74.1%) in FBS. His improvement is undeniable, proving he thrives under challenge with impressive accuracy, especially on timing routes. But why the draft slide? Here, Newton suggested it’s more than just stats—it’s Shedeur’s off-field persona.

“Shedeur has always got this mean mug look on his face. Snobbish-looking, you know what I’m saying? I’ve met Shedeur multiple times, and I’m looking at him and I’m like, ‘Okay.’ He is just like (imitates a watch flex move),” Newton said.

Now, NFL Rookie Watch revealed that some NFL teams have concerns about Shedeur Sanders’ focus. Reports suggest he’s more invested in his rap career and building a personal brand than fully committing to football. Moreover, an anonymous NFL GM even flagged Shedeur’s fiery attitude and watch flexing as ‘red flags’ for his personality. So, the concerns go beyond just his on-field talent.

But now, it’s his time to prove himself with the Browns and silence the criticism.