Shedeur Sanders Sending Not So Subtle Signal to Minnesota Vikings at NFL Combine

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Shedeur Sanders - Colorado
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The Minnesota Vikings are meeting with all sorts of players this week at the NFL Combine. The importance of these sessions cannot be overstated, either. Remember, half of the Vikings’ roster is scheduled to hit free agency on March 12, so how general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his front office navigate the draft process over the next two months will be absolutely crucial to the success of this team both in 2025 and in the future.

The first decision they need to make is at quarterback. That’s why, around the combine this week, there is a lot of talk surrounding what Minnesota will do with 2024 starting QB Sam Darnold, who is due to hit free agency in less than two weeks, along with all those other pending Vikings UFAs.

Shedeur Sanders and Deion Sanders
Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

One thing the Minnesota Vikings are not expected to do this offseason is trade up in the NFL Draft to take a top quarterback, like they did last April, when they moved up one spot in order to secure Michigan QB JJ McCarthy. After a season of recovery from two meniscus surgeries, he is the betting favorite to be Vikings QB1 in 2025.

Shedeur Sanders Sporting a Minnesota Vikings Hat at NFL Combine

With that being said, what if I told you that one of the most polarizing quarterback prospects of our lifetime seems to be sending out signals this week at the NFL combine in the direction of our favorite football team?

Because that’s exactly what happened on Wednesday, when Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders was spotted outside of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis with a Minnesota Vikings hat hanging from his backpack, along with three other teams (Browns, Saints and maybe Jets).

Arguments are raging on the internet as to the motive behind Sanders’ choices. But let’s be real, those hats are not picked at random. But that begs to question, why are the Vikings hanging there? Does Shedeur Sanders really believe he has any chance at landing with the Minnesota Vikings in the draft next month?

Related: New Perfect Fit Trade Targets Come Available for Vikings

It makes sense Sanders would be interested in wearing purple, given the QB acumen of Kevin O’Connell and the player-friendly environment at TCO Performance Center. With that being said, Shedeur and Miami’s Cam Ward are undoubtedly the two best quarterbacks in this draft class. Both will almost certainly be taken in the top ten.

Should Vikings be interested in Sanders?

As a senior at Colorado, Shedeur Sanders threw for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. His 74.0% completion rate led the entire nation. Even more impressive, he also led the country in pass attempts (477).

The Minnesota Vikings’ first pick in April’s draft is currently slotted at No. 24, meaning some serious moves would have to be made, in order for Sanders to land in Minnesota. For example, it’s possible the Titans would take McCarthy in exchange for their No. 3 overall pick, which would move the Vikings in range to draft Shedeur.

But to this point, there has been ZERO buzz that head coach Kevin O’Connell has any interest in blowing up the JJ McCarthy plan in any way, or that the Vikings are sniffing around the top quarterbacks in this class. Still, there’s really no denying Shedeur Sanders strategically chose the four teams he did, which is why we are here discussing this in the first place.

Related: Vikings Insider Hints at Possible Return of Legendary Safety

Up to this point, the Minnesota Vikings have made it clear they are targeting interior linemen this offseason, whether via free agency, trade or the 2025 NFL Draft. Lucky for them the iOL and iDL markets appear to be more saturated than normal, no matter where you look.

Will Kwesi and KOC blow all of that up, and shift their QB plans toward Sanders? Probably not… but it’s also possible Deion and those helping Shedeur navigate the draft process know something we don’t, too…

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