Shedeur Sanders defended by ESPN analyst who calls out double standard and compares him to Baker Mayfield

Agency_LATINWEB Baker Mayfield - English Colorado Buffaloes - English ESPN - English Mafer Vega - LW English NCAAF - English Shedeur Sanders - English Sports

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Former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky is speaking out against what he sees as an unfair narrative around Shedeur Sanders, the rising star quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes. In a recent appearance, Orlovsky drew a sharp comparison to how NFL fans and analysts have treated two very similar personalities-Baker Mayfield and Shedeur Sanders-with very different reactions.

“We can’t praise Baker Mayfield and fall in love with Baker Mayfield because of his charisma, cockiness, his self-belief-and then kind of view it differently with Shedeur,” Orlovsky said.

Confidence or cockiness?

Orlovsky’s comments come amid growing criticism of Sanders‘ on-field swagger and off-field confidence-traits that, according to him, have been celebrated in other quarterbacks. Baker Mayfield, for instance, was often admired for his fiery attitude, competitive energy, and unapologetic self-belief, especially during his Heisman-winning run and early NFL career.

But Sanders, despite his impressive performances and leadership at Colorado, has faced a different tone of scrutiny. From debates over his watch-flashing celebrations to questions about his maturity, Orlovsky believes there’s a clear inconsistency in how his confidence is being interpreted.

Shedeur’s performance speaks for itself

Shedeur Sanders has shown more than just charisma on the field. Under the leadership of his father, head coach Deion Sanders, he has consistently delivered high-level play, breaking school records and showing poise in high-pressure situations. His calm demeanor, strong arm, and leadership have turned heads, not just in Boulder, but across the country.

And yet, the criticism around his personality often overshadows his actual production. Orlovsky’s defense is a reminder that quarterbacks are often judged as much for how they carry themselves as how they perform-and that double standards persist, especially for players breaking the mold.

Let the game do the talking

Orlovsky’s message is clear: confidence is not the enemy. “You can’t celebrate it in one player and criticize it in another,” he said. “If Shedeur was named anything else, would this even be a conversation?”

With the next college football season looming, Sanders will have another chance to prove that charisma and talent don’t have to be mutually exclusive-and that belief in yourself is never something to apologize for.

This news was originally published on this post .

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Agency_LATINWEB Baker Mayfield - English Colorado Buffaloes - English ESPN - English Mafer Vega - LW English NCAAF - English Shedeur Sanders - English

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