When reports came out that Sanders nixed the idea of getting selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2025 NFL Draft because he didn’t want to back up Lamar Jackson, it caused fans nationwide to scratch their heads.

Why wouldn’t you want to backup a top-five quarterback in the league? Why wouldn’t you want to learn from a two-time MVP?

And most importantly, as a fifth-round draft pick, what makes you think you have the slightest possibility at starting in the NFL anytime soon?

Some of the best quarterbacks in the league started their careers on the sidelines, learning from the best of the best.

Aaron Rodgers spent the first three years of his career backing up Brett Favre. Jordan Love also spent the first three seasons of his career backing up Rodgers Patrick Mahomes spent the first year backing up Alex Smith. Even Jackson spent some time learning under Joe Flacco.

What do all those quarterbacks have in common? They were all first rounders.

Former NFL MVP and now ESPN analyst Cam Newton had some thoughts on Sanders shutting down the idea of being a backup behind Jackson.

“If I’m Shedeur, you would ideally want to learn behind a guy like Lamar Jackson for this particular reason… Not a lot of players can really cope with your star power, with your stardom, right? … The thing that I respect a guy like Lamar Jackson the most? We’ve never him have any off-the-field issues. He’s been a standup guy… 

“Not a lot of people can relate to what Shedeur Sanders has been through in his whole life. And that right there serves him more to make him a better player… and I think Lamar Jackson would’ve been able to relate to him.”

Not one player is bigger than the team. And when you hear situations like this with Sanders thinking he’s getting a quick route to the starting job, it makes you wonder if he believes he is.

The belief in his game is real, and the talent is real.

He’s the all-time FBS leader in completion percentage for a reason. But dominating in college doesn’t guarantee an immediate translation into the pros. Just ask JaMarcus Russell. Look at the struggles that former Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young is navigating through.

Sanders may have been “Him” at the college level, but simply thinking you’re immune to everything else that the pros before you have been through is foolish.

Sanders can be a great quarterback in the NFL. But in order for that to happen, he has to undergo a reality check.