Brett Favre’s Inspiring Message to Shedeur Sanders After Slide in 2025 NFL Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft didn’t unfold the way Shedeur Sanders or his supporters had imagined. Once touted as a potential first-round pick — especially by analysts like Mel Kiper Jr. — Sanders ended up waiting until the fifth round to hear his name called.
But NFL legend Brett Favre, who knows a thing or two about overcoming early setbacks, had some golden advice for Sanders and every late-round pick trying to prove themselves.
Sharing his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), Favre reminded young players that when you’re drafted doesn’t matter nearly as much as what you do next.
“I didn’t care when I got picked; I just wanted one shot with any team,” Favre wrote.
“It’s all about what you do when your number’s called — not where you were selected,” he added.
And by the way, the team that drafted me didn’t even want me! #NFLDraft”
NFL History Shows Draft Position Doesn’t Define Success
Favre’s perspective is rooted in experience. Although he was a second-round pick, he was far from a coach’s first choice. Jerry Glanville, his head coach in Atlanta, once joked that it would take a car wreck for Favre to see the field.
And yet, Favre turned that rocky start into a Hall of Fame career — proof that resilience and work ethic often outweigh draft-day hype.
The NFL is filled with examples like Favre. Tom Brady famously slipped to the sixth round before becoming the most decorated quarterback in league history. The draft may launch careers, but it doesn’t limit greatness.
For Sanders, Favre’s wisdom is a reminder: It’s not how you start, but how you finish.
Shedeur Sanders Ready to Embrace the Challenge
After his draft experience, Sanders showed remarkable self-awareness, admitting he could have handled certain parts of the process differently.
“Looking back, there were things I could’ve done better, things I thought were right at the time,” Sanders said in a post-draft interview.
“Most of it was off-the-field stuff during the season. But now, I’ve got an opportunity — and it’s time to get to work.
Sanders’ focus is now on making the most of his opportunity when he finally steps onto the field. With his talent, mindset, and the chip on his shoulder, he has every tool he needs to follow in the footsteps of late-round success stories.
The Real Work Starts Now
Draft night is only the beginning of the story. For players like Shedeur Sanders, what matters most is the path they carve out after the cameras are off.
With NFL greats like Brett Favre cheering him on — and reminding him that greatness isn’t limited by where you’re drafted — Sanders’ journey is just getting started.
