Title = Shedeur Sanders’ decision to opt out of NFL Combine supported: The other quarterbacks who also quit
NFL Draft 2025 set to take place on April 24th in Green Bay
With the 2025 NFL Draft set to take place in Green Bay on April 24, every move by top prospects is being analyzed in detail. One of the biggest talking points this offseason has been Shedeur Sanders’ decision to skip the NFL Combine and instead showcase his skills at Colorado’s pro day.
While some have questioned this move, several analysts and former athletes believe the decision is justified, citing past examples of elite quarterbacks who did the same.
Rather than participate in the high-pressure environment of the NFL Combine, Sanders has opted to work out in a setting he knows well, throwing to receivers he has played with at Colorado.
This move mirrors choices made by former top quarterbacks who also skipped the event in favor of their pro days. Keyshawn Johnson, former NFL receiver and analyst, emphasized that Sanders is following a path taken by other successful quarterbacks.
“Shedeur won’t be the first notable quarterback to not participate. Joe Burrow didn’t do it. Andrew Luck, Matthew Stafford, Kyler Murray, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, they are all just notable guys who decided not to throw at the combine,” Johnson said on SPEAK.
By waiting for Colorado’s pro day, Sanders ensures he is in control of his performance, avoiding the potential pitfalls of throwing to unfamiliar receivers on an unfamiliar field.
Analysts defend Sanders’ approach
NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin also supported Sanders, explaining that the Combine’s setup can be challenging for quarterbacks who haven’t had time to develop chemistry with new targets.
“Just for the technical side on the football field, it’s different when you’re throwing to a whole bunch of strangers that you never even knew, and you’re throwing on a football field that you’ve never went on… Whatever happens in Indy, they are only going to use to knock you down,” Irvin stated.
NBA legend Paul Pierce added his perspective, arguing that Sanders’ college performance speaks for itself and that the Combine isn’t necessary for him to prove his abilities.
“Over his college career, you’ve seen what this man is about… This is where they try to pick you apart. You know everything that you need to know from the seasons that he’s played,” Pierce said.
A strategic move for Sanders’ future
Skipping the NFL Combine is not an unprecedented decision, especially for quarterbacks confident in their draft stock. Sanders’ choice to perform at his pro day instead allows him to showcase his strengths in a controlled environment while bringing attention to the Colorado football program.
As draft day nears, Sanders remains projected as a top pick, and his decision to opt out of the Combine is unlikely to impact his standing. Instead, it serves as a reminder that not all players follow the traditional route to NFL success-some, like Sanders, carve their own path.
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