'He's going to be an epic failure': NFL legend calls Shedeur Sanders a fraud and warns he'll destroy the Browns
Shedeur Sanders
' unexpected drop to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft surprised many, but for former
Pittsburgh Steelers
running back
Merril Hoge
, it wasn't a shock. In a revealing radio interview just days before the draft, Hoge outlined his reasons for believing that the former Colorado quarterback might struggle to establish himself as a dependable NFL starter.
Merril Hoge questions Shedeur Sanders' readiness for NFL, cites "Mediocre" core skills
On April 23, during an interview on 102.5 WDVE in Pittsburgh, Merril Hoge recognized Sheuder Sanders as a capable college quarterback but argued that he didn't stand out beyond that level. While Sanders demonstrated some impressive plays in college, Hoge believed his fundamental quarterback abilities, like precision and decision-making, were only "mediocre."
'I think the best way to sum him up is, he's a really good college quarterback . His accuracy is good, his processing is good," Hoge said. "And when I say good, I use a scale from 1 to 10, so good is around a five."
Hoge took particular issue with Sanders' inflated 74% completion rate in 2024, attributing it to Colorado's tendency to favor short passes. He noted that more than a third of Sanders' throws (168 in total) were either behind or at the line of scrimmage. According to Hoge, this kind of statistic manipulation creates a misleading perception of a quarterback's effectiveness.
"Nobody threw more bubble screens than Shedeur Sanders when it mattered," he said."You're going to protect the kid. I get that from a coaching aspect. That's the skill set you're looking for .He ain't even close, he ain't even in the ballpark. ... There's some toughness to him I like, but how he moves, he ain't going to put fear in anybody."
Hoge's doubts didn't stop with Sanders' mechanics. He pointed to the quarterback's late-season slump at Colorado-specifically a poor showing against BYU in the Alamo Bowl-as another red flag. "He got worse as the year went on," Hoge said, comparing Sanders' bowl performance unfavorably to that of
Mitch Trubisky
.
Perhaps most damning of all was Hoge's warning to any team considering Sanders as a future franchise player: "He can't handle the expectations that are coming his way. He's going to be an epic failure and he's going set your organization back another two or three years."
In closing, Merril Hoge made it clear that he sees Shedeur Sanders as a risky investment for any NFL team. While Sanders may have name recognition and flashes of talent, Hoge believes his average skill set, reliance on short throws, and poor late-season performance raise serious red flags.
Also Read:
Did the Miami Dolphins just jeopardize their 2025 season by ignoring the cornerback position in the draft?
Hoge's blunt assessment that Sanders "can't handle the expectations" and could become an "epic failure" serves as a stark contrast to the hype surrounding the young quarterback. As Sanders begins his NFL journey, only time will tell if Hoge's warnings hold true or if Sanders can prove his critics wrong.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
NFL Millionaires' Club: Meet the top 5 richest stars of all time - Check full net worth
The NFL isn't just about touchdowns and tackles, but also a testament to the incredible wealth its top stars have amassed. The richest players blend on-field excellence with off-field business acumen, building fortunes that extend well beyond their playing days. Leading the pack are familiar names like Roger Staubach , Russell Wilson, Fran Tarkenton , and Tom Brady - all boasting net worths in the hundreds of millions. Their financial empires span lucrative contracts, endorsement deals, real estate investments, and media ventures. These players are the face of the NFL's financial elite. Explore the full list and net worth details. 1. Roger Staubach (Net Worth: $600 million) Roger Staubach, widely regarded as the richest NFL player in history, boasts a staggering net worth of $600 million. Best known for his legendary career as quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys , Staubach's true financial success came after hanging up his boots. Live Events A Vietnam War Navy veteran, Staubach earned only around $600,000 during his playing days - a modest sum by today's standards. However, his post-retirement pivot to business set a new standard for athletes. In 1979, he founded The Staubach Company, a commercial real estate venture that revolutionized the industry. His entrepreneurial acumen was such that it had become a $613 million company when it was sold to Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) in 2008 with about 67 offices throughout the US. Staubach's ventures include the ownership of industrial complexes in Phoenix, retail developments in Houston, and commercial office structures throughout Dallas. 2. Fran Tarkenton (Net Worth: $300 million) Tarkenton, a former NFL quarterback turned television personality and tech entrepreneur, ranks as the second-richest living NFL player. Best known for his 18-season career with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants from 1961 to 1978, Tarkenton earned just $1.2 million in player salary - a modest sum by modern standards. However, his true wealth came after retirement, as Tarkenton became a pioneer in the tech world. He was one of the early innovators in customer relationship management (CRM) software, launching Tarkenton Software in the late 20th century. The company merged with KnowledgeWare in 1986, which was later acquired by Sterling Software for $73 million in 1994. In addition to tech, Tarkenton made lucrative endorsement deals with major brands like Johnson & Johnson. Today, according to CelebrityNetWorth, he owns several successful businesses, including Tarkenton Financial, GoSmallBiz, and Tarkenton Teleconferencing. He also reportedly holds over $100 million in Apple stock and owns real estate valued at around $15 million. 3. Tom Brady (Net Worth: $300 million) Brady, who ranks third on the list, is an American retired professional football quarterback turned spokesman and entrepreneur, with an estimated net worth of $300 million. Widely regarded as the NFL's most decorated player, Brady spent 20 seasons (2000–2019) leading the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March 2020 on a two-year, fully guaranteed $50 million deal (with up to $59 million in incentives). He immediately delivered a seventh ring and then inked a one-year extension worth up to $25 million to stay through 2022. Having earned roughly $230 million on the field and over $140 million in endorsements, Brady retired in 2022 and signed a record-breaking $375 million, 10-year broadcasting contract with Fox Sports - at $37.5 million annually, the richest in sports media history. Off the field, Brady has generated well over $140 million through high-profile endorsements with Under Armour, UGG, TAG Heuer, Aston Martin, Hertz, Molecule Mattresses, and Subway. He's also built a diverse business portfolio: TB12, his fitness and wellness company; BRADY Brand, a performance apparel line; Autograph, an NFT marketplace he co-founded in 2021; and 199 Productions, a media venture producing documentaries, films, and sports programming. 4. Peyton Manning (Net Worth: $250 million) With an estimated net worth of $250 million, Manning ranks fourth among the richest NFL players alive. Over his 18-season career - primarily with the Indianapolis Colts before finishing with the Denver Broncos - Manning earned $248 million on the field, including a groundbreaking $96 million deal in 2004 that reset quarterback salaries. Off the field, he continues to cash in on endorsements with Bud Light, Buick, Sony, ESPN, DirecTV, MasterCard, Reebok, and Gatorade, and owns 21 Papa John's franchises in Colorado. His Omaha Productions launched the popular 'ManningCast' in 2019, while Sweetens Cove bourbon taps into premium Southern lifestyle trends. 5. Aaron Rodgers (Net Worth: $200 million) Rodgers, the fifth-wealthiest active NFL player, recently inked a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth $13.65 million - $10 million fully guaranteed and up to $19.5 million with playing-time and team-performance incentives. Over 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers earned roughly $380 million on the field, and his $75 million contract with the New York Jets in 2023 further solidified his finances. Including endorsements, his total career earnings now exceed $600 million. In April 2018, Rodgers became the first active NFL player to hold an ownership stake in an NBA team when he joined the Milwaukee Bucks' ownership group as a limited partner. Rodgers' most iconic partnership is State Farm's 'Discount Double Check' campaign, but he's also fronted national ads for Adidas, Pizza Hut, Sharpie, IZOD, Prevea Health, and TaylorMade Golf - cementing his status as one of the league's top-earning stars both on and off the field. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sophie Cunningham's locker-room twerk steals the show after Fever's Cup win
Sophie Cunningham's locker-room dance steals the show after Fever lift Commissioner's Cup (Image Credit: Getty Images) Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham didn't wait for the post-game press conference to celebrate. Moments after the Fever beat the Minnesota Lynx 74-59 to lift their first Commissioner's Cup, the 28-year-old turned to a teammate's Instagram Live, dropped into a quick twerk, and sent social media into a frenzy. Clips of the dance hit X, TikTok, and Instagram within minutes, racking up thousands of views before most fans even knew the final score. Why the video blew up Cunningham's move happened in real time, streaming straight from the locker room to fans' phones. The dance felt spontaneous, not staged, which made it easy to share. Fever followers have already rallied around Cunningham for her tough play and lively personality, so the moment fit her growing image. A party with a purpose The celebration was loud for good reason. Each player pockets a piece of the $500,000 prize pool that comes with the Cup. Even injured rookie star Caitlin Clark joined in, spraying champagne while teammates debated the next song on the playlist. But it was Cunningham's 15-second dance that viewers kept replaying. What it means for the Fever Indiana has spent two seasons rebuilding around young talent. Tuesday's win and the viral buzz that followed signal a team moving from promise to presence. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software Expertinspector Learn More Undo Cunningham's social-media moment may not add points to the standings, but it pushes the Fever deeper into the public eye, right when women's basketball is grabbing more attention than ever. Sophie Cunningham scored 13 points in the final, then scored a bigger victory online. And in a league where highlights and hashtags often spread faster than box scores, one short twerk may do as much for the Fever's profile as the shiny new trophy. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Magic Johnson reacts as Los Angeles Lakers land Deandre Ayton to join forces with LeBron James and Luka Doncic
Magic Johnson and Deandre Ayton. Image via: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images | Steph Chambers/ Getty Images Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson has recently shared a wordless reaction to Deandre Ayton's Los Angeles Lakers debut. Johnson just shared a screenshot of the news on X posted by NBA TV and Bleacher Report, where a picture of the trio– Ayton, Luka Doncic, and LeBron James could be seen in the Lakers' classic gold jersey. It appears that Johnson is excited about his former team's new addition to reshuffle the squad, as the Lakers are looking for another championship run in the coming season. Lakers boost title hopes with Deandre Ayton signing alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic, Magic Johnson reacts The Los Angeles Lakers have pulled off another headline-making move, signing former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal, adding him to a roster that already boasts Luka Doncic and LeBron James. In a subtle but telling reaction, Lakers legend Magic Johnson shared a screenshot on X featuring the trio in gold jerseys, signaling quiet excitement over this high-profile addition. Ayton's move to Los Angeles didn't happen overnight. After negotiating a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers, reportedly giving up about $10 million on his $35.6 million contract. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, 'Deandre Ayton has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN. Between Portland and L.A., Ayton will earn $34 million next season. Agents Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports and Bill Duffy of WME Sports reached the deal with Lakers president Rob Pelinka.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Most Women Have No Idea This Household Item Fades Dark Spots Overnight Undo The Lakers, per insiders speaking with The Athletic, made this move with Luka Doncic's input. 'Doncic, according to league sources, is excited about the opportunity to play with Ayton,' reported Dan Woike and David Aldridge. It's a calculated step that centers the team's strategy around Doncic while adding a big man who can anchor the paint and elevate their pick-and-roll offense. Ayton's potential is well-known. He was a key piece of the Phoenix Suns' 2021 Finals run, averaging a double-double for his career (16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds) and becoming the first player since Dwight Howard to average 10+ points and 10+ rebounds in each of his first seven seasons. But his time in Portland was rocky. According to Jason Quick of The Athletic, 'The tardiness to team flights and practices… skipping of rehabilitation appointments… tantrums in the locker room when he was sidelined for poor effort' all contributed to Portland's decision to move on. Still, Ayton has found a new opportunity, and the Lakers desperately needed a center. The fit matters. In L.A., Ayton won't be the franchise cornerstone. As Quick noted, 'In Los Angeles, there is no question that Doncic and James sit atop the pecking order. Ayton is no longer the big fish, but there's a solid role for him in the pond if he embraces it.' Also Read: NBA analyst drops bombshell comments on LeBron James and Luka Doncic chemistry: 'This is Luka's team now' Magic Johnson's quiet nod on social media also hints that the Lakers may have just completed a major piece of their puzzle. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
