Skip Bayless Accuses Tom Brady of Influencing Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft Slide

Skip Bayless has publicly accused Tom Brady, minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, of influencing the team's decision to pass on drafting quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft, despite Sanders being projected as a top pick by many analysts. Bayless claims Brady vetoed Sanders' selection, arguing that given the Raiders' ample draft capital and Sanders' mentorship under Brady, the team would have been an ideal fit. Brady has vehemently denied involvement in the Raiders' draft evaluations during a podcast appearance, criticizing media for spreading unsubstantiated claims and lamenting a decline in journalistic integrity. In response, Bayless released a lengthy video challenging Brady's denial, accusing him of avoiding direct confrontation and labeling his response as cowardly. The Raiders selected Sanders in the fifth round, much later than expected, and only drafted a quarterback in the sixth round, fueling speculation about internal decision-making influence. Despite Brady's close relationship with Sanders, the Raiders' general manager and organization maintain that Brady has little to no say in personnel decisions.