Deion Sanders Urged To Learn From Archie Manning After Shedeur Sanders’ Move to Browns

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 6:29 PM ET

With the dust settled in the aftermath of Shedeur Sanders' fall in the 2025 NFL Draft, there are still lessons to be learned, not only for the young quarterback but also for those around him who may have given him bad advice, at least in the estimation of some NFL analysts.

During an appearance on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," Sports Illustrated's NFL guru Albert Breer points out the similarities and differences between the situations of Deion Sanders and his son, Shedeur and Archie Manning and his son, Eli, in 2004.

The conversation began with the rehashing that Deion was talking about the disappointment of his son's drop in the draft in a recent interview, and fill-in host Jason McIntyre pointed out that the Colorado Buffaloes head coach needs to stop talking about his son. Breer then took the reins of the conversation.

“I agree (that Deion should stop talking about Shedeur)," Breer began. "I know a lot of people have made a big deal out of what happened 21 years ago when Eli Manning forced his way from the Chargers to the Giants. At the time, I think there was that concern out there, 'Is Archie going to be hovering over Eli's career?' And you know who we didn't hear much from after Eli Manning became a Giant? Archie Manning. You know, you didn't hear much at all from him."

In 2004, Eli Manning famously dodged being drafted by the San Diego Chargers, likely at the behest of his father, Archie.

Reports revealed the elder Manning reached out to the father of Ryan Leaf, the No. 2 overall pick in the 1998 draft by the Chargers, who fell out with the team after a three-year stint due to a string of personal battles. Leaf's father told Archie that the Chargers did not provide any kind of help or guidance or support with his problems.

In a 2020 interview with Pat McAfee, Leaf explained, “Archie and his family had called my father and wanted to know how they treated his son, and that was a huge part of it. Because even as poorly as I behaved, there was no support.”

"It's fine if dads want to be involved in the pre-draft process," Breer concluded. "And sometimes, there are some things that go into it where a father's counsel can really help. But I think once they become pros, it's an important thing for the parents to push away and let the kid be his own man.”

During the run-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, Deion made several headline-grabbing statements like his son would or wouldn't play for certain teams or that he would guide him away from certain franchises. These statements facilitated a negative conversation among the media about the young quarterback.

Sanders has performed well in Cleveland's organized team activities. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski praised both of the franchise's rookie quarterbacks, Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.

"Those guys are doing great," Stefanski said. "They are both wired to get in early, stay late, put in whatever work is required. They're sponges in the meeting room, which I think is really fun for me."

Sanders was selected in the fifth round with the 144th overall pick by the Browns. The rookie signal-caller is competing with Gabriel and veterans like Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. Cleveland also still has Deshaun Watson on the roster, although it is believed he will miss all of the 2025 season with a re-ruptured Achilles tendon.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: