Shedeur Sanders might be back on the Raiders’ radar

Shedeur Sanders hasn’t had the dream start to his NFL career. Still, his name is once again echoing in Las Vegas. The son of Deion Sanders, who lit up college football at Colorado and was considered one of the top prospects in the last Draft, could be getting a second chance with the Raiders. The reason is simple: the franchise is struggling at the quarterback position.

Before the 2025 Draft, Shedeur Sanders was projected as a first-round pick. He was ranked as the second-best quarterback in his class, just behind Cam Ward, who was taken by the Titans and has had a quiet start. According to sports outlet Marca, the Raiders had Sanders on their radar but chose a different path. They selected running back Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick and had already signed Geno Smith to a two-year, $75 million deal weeks before the Draft—effectively closing the door on any rookie quarterback.

The situation has shifted

Six weeks into the season, things look different. Geno Smith leads the league in interceptions with 10, and the Raiders sit at 2-4. Head coach Pete Carroll hasn’t benched him yet, but the veteran’s performance is frustrating fans, many of whom are calling for a change. Smith, who arrived from Seattle promising stability, now seems more like part of the problem than the solution.

Geno Smith is the first QB to throw 10 INTs this season, and it’s only October 🙃 pic.twitter.com/dP24CGlSjO

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 12, 2025

Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders hasn’t found solid ground in Cleveland either. He went from being the last option in preseason to the current backup. But with Deshaun Watson’s return looming, Sanders’ chances of seeing the field are about to vanish. That’s why Raiders fans are pushing for a trade, hoping Sanders can develop behind Smith and eventually take over the offense.

Just speculation—for now

There’s a hint of unfinished business in this story. Kenny Pickett, now the Raiders’ backup, competed with Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland before being traded right before the season started. Seeing Sanders in silver and black would be a compelling twist for a franchise searching for identity and a long-term answer at quarterback.

SHOULD THE #RAIDERS TRADE FOR #BROWNS ROOKIE QUARTERBACK SHEDEUR SANDERS…?

👀

Sanders was a 5th-round pick by Cleveland, is only 23, and won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

Shedeur can backup Geno Smith, gain experience, and be the potential long-term answer in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/r39gBQtbgc

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) October 16, 2025

For now, it’s all speculation. But in the NFL, doors are never fully closed—or fully open. And if Shedeur Sanders has shown anything, it’s that he knows how to wait for his moment. That moment might be closer than it seems.