Shedeur Sanders' unexpected slip to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft sparked significant backlash, notably from Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On the New Heights podcast, Kelce criticized the anonymous sources questioning Sanders' pre-draft meetings, urging them to reveal their identities. Kelce expressed his disbelief at Sanders falling from a projected first-round pick to the Cleveland Browns, labeling it as unfair and indicative of deeper issues in the draft process.

Despite the circumstances, Kelce shared his optimism for Sanders, noting that this could be a fresh start for him in Cleveland. He highlighted Sanders' potential to earn the starting quarterback role given his skills and performance on film. Kelce's support for Sanders reflects a growing sentiment that the young quarterback could defy expectations and thrive in the NFL.