Is Shedeur Sanders the next Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes?

s the 2025 NFL draft looms on the horizon, the buzz around Shedeur Sanders is electrifying to say the least. But where does he truly stand as a quarterback? According to Uncle Neely, Sanders belongs in the same echelon as legends like Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady. While early mock drafts might not share this sentiment, placing Sanders outside the first-round conversation, Uncle Neely passionately defends his stance.

In a spirited podcast discussion with Adam Munsterteiger on The Pregame Network, aired on June 21, 2024, Uncle Neely didn’t just toss around hyperbolic praise; he laid out a compelling case for Sanders being a ‘generational talent.’ Addressing the controversy surrounding the so-called ‘Daddy Ball’-allegations that Deion Sanders is favoring his son-Uncle Neely drew parallels to the strategic tailoring of offenses around quarterbacks, much like what was done for Brady in New England and Mahomes in Kansas City.

“They translate that into Daddy Ball,” Uncle Neely remarked, countering the criticism with a historical comparison. “It’s the same thing the Patriots did with Brady. It’s the same thing they do in Kansas City with Mahomes. Anytime you have that level of a quarterback, everything is built around them, and that’s the case here in Colorado.”

The numbers game: Sanders vs. The NFL legends
To understand Uncle Neely’s bold comparison, let’s delve into the stats of these quarterbacks. Patrick Mahomes, a prodigious talent from Texas Tech, set records with the most passing yards in a single game (734) and the most total offense yards (819). Unlike Mahomes, Tom Brady’s early college career at Michigan was marked by limited playtime, only breaking out as a starter in his junior year and staying through his fifth year. Brady’s perseverance paid off, eventually leading to an illustrious NFL career.

Shedeur Sanders, on the other hand, is on a different trajectory. By the end of the 2023 season, Sanders had accumulated 10,193 passing yards and 97 touchdowns. This places him on a statistical pedestal close to Mahomes’ college career totals of 11,252 yards and 93 touchdowns, and well above Brady’s 4,773 yards and 30 touchdowns from 29 games.

Shedeur Sanders’ Cap Steals the Show at Youth Camp
Despite a challenging 2023 season for Colorado, Sanders’ stats shine brightly. He has already eclipsed Brady’s college performance and is closing in on Mahomes’ numbers. As Sanders gears up for his final college season, the focus will be on refining his techniques and delivering stellar performances to solidify his NFL draft prospects.

Uncle Neely’s comparison might seem audacious, but if Sanders continues on his current path, he could indeed carve out a legacy comparable to the likes of Mahomes and Brady. As the draft approaches, all eyes will be on this young quarterback to see if he can live up to the lofty expectations set by his most ardent supporter.