Report: Deion Sanders Threatens NFL Teams About Drafting Shedeur In 2025; QB Could Lose Millions Of Dollars

Per a transcript by Mike Florio with NBC Sports of Deion’s comments during an appearance on Sirius XM‘s Mad Dog Radio With Chris Russo, Deion said he didn’t want his son going to an NFL team that plays in cold weather:

“Like, I don’t want my kid going nowhere cold next year,” Sanders said. “He grew up in Texas. He played in Jackson, played in Colorado. Season’s over before it gets cold in Colorado. I’m just thinking way ahead. I don’t want that for him.

Patrick Mahomes came from Texas and plays in frigid Kansas City every winter, and Aaron Rodgers came from California to play in Green Bay. If Shedeur can’t play in the cold, that’s a problem. Tua Tagovailoa’s performance against Mahomes in this year’s frozen Wild Card game could be evidence that hurts the Miami Dolphins quarterback in future contract negotiations.

Deion Sanders threatens to pull an Eli Manning

Deion’s comments there didn’t seem to help Shedeur’s draft stock. Neither did his comments on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast. Deion said there are places where Shedeur, Shilo, and Travis Hunter might refuse to play if drafted. Per the transcript of Deion’s comments by Adam Peters of Bleacher Report:

“All this is subjective because I know where I kind of want them to go,” Sanders said (58:55 mark). “And let’s not forget Shilo (Sanders). But I know where I want them to go. There’s certain cities where it ain’t going to happen. …It’s going to be an Eli [Manning].”

Deion’s comments shouldn’t be a laughing matter for those three players involved. It could cost them millions. If cold-weather teams at the top of the draft decide to pass on Shedeur, Shilo, and Hunter, they could end up being picked later in the draft.

Shedeur could lose millions by falling in the draft

Per Nick Igbokwe with Sportskeeda, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft stood to gain nearly $38 million. The last pick in the draft was projected to earn $26 million less. And the money would, of course, be worse for rookies outside the first round:

The projected contract for first-round NFL picks varies. The first overall pick earns $37,955,071 in total value, with an estimated signing bonus of $24,603,688 and a 2023 cap of $6,900,922 (according to Spotrac). On the other hand, the 31st overall pick earns $11,817,816 in total value, with an estimated signing bonus of $5,594,775 and a 2023 cap of $2,148,694.

Likewise, the projected contracts of second-round NFL draft picks vary as well. The 32nd overall pick earns $9,618,343 in total value, with an estimated signing bonus of $3,995,158 and a 2023 cap of $1,748,790. On the other hand, the last pick in the second round earns $6,068,635 in total value, with an estimated signing bonus of $1,413,552 and a 2023 cap of $1,103,388.

Deion’s comments could cost his son and Hunter millions in next year’s draft. He should consider this before narrowing the draft pool for athletes he cares about.