Before the 2025 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders were the team most commonly linked to former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. He had a close relationship with minority owner Tom Brady, and the team needed a young quarterback to develop behind Geno Smith.
When he started to slide in the draft, many expected the Raiders to end his slide, but they passed on him seven times. Sanders ended up going to the Cleveland Browns, but his father, Deion Sanders, may have wanted him elsewhere.
Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was supposed to play this season, but a shoulder injury forced him into an early retirement. Deion Sanders recently spoke to the former quarterback and revealed where he wanted his son to play.
“I wanted my son to be on the same team that you were on because I know what you would pour into him,” Sanders told Carr during an appearance on the “Home Grown” podcast. “I really did want my son on the same team that you could guide him and lead him, I’m telling you, man.”
Now, Carr was under contract with the New Orleans Saints before retiring, and they were another team commonly linked to Shedeur Sanders. However, Carr is most closely linked with the Raiders, and Deion Sanders hinted multiple times that he wanted his son in Las Vegas. It sounds like he wouldn’t have been upset if he landed with either team.
Did Raiders Make Mistake Passing on Sanders?
Most analysts expected Sanders to be a first-round pick this offseason, and even the most pessimistic doubters didn’t see him slipping past the second round. That’s why his plummet to the fifth round was such a surprise.
Even with the Raiders trading for Geno Smith in the offseason, many figured they would take a young quarterback somewhat early for them to learn behind the veteran. By the time Sanders fell to the fifth round, it wouldn’t have been much of a risk to take him.
Despite that, the Raiders decided against adding him. In hindsight, that’s looking like a mistake. Head coach Pete Carroll has enough gravitas to keep the media circus in check. Now, with Smith playing poorly, there would be a lot of noise surrounding the Raiders’ quarterback room if Sanders were in it. However, Las Vegas would likely feel better about their quarterback situation if they at least had a promising rookie like Sanders they could put in.
Will Raiders Draft a QB in 2026?
Smith has been dreadful in five games for the Raiders, but the good news is that they could realistically move on from him after the season. The problem with that is that they don’t have a potential replacement on the roster.
This offseason, the Raiders almost certainly have to draft a quarterback early. That could potentially give them a year to develop behind Smith, and then the team can fully commit to them in 2027. Even if Smith plays better, that would be a wise decision, as the quarterback is about to turn 35. At a certain point, the Raiders have to think about the future of the position.
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