Former NFL MVP Cam Newton has given his perspective to Shedeur Sanders as he enters the league with ongoing drama in multiple ways. 

First, Sanders fell from a likely first-round selection to the fifth during last week’s festivities. Sanders also was the victim of a prank call during the draft with Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s son as the culprit.

Sanders also joins a crowded quarterback room with Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, Kenny Pickett, and Deshaun Watson, with three signal callers, at maximum, making the opening week 53-man roster.  

‘Shedeur Sanders, this message is directed to you,’ Newton said on his podcast. ‘Lead with work, not clout. I think he took on the persona of a DB [defensive back], not a QB.

‘As a DB, you’re able to do certain things. You can speak loud and be rambunctious and have that bravado. As a quarterback, reminder, you are the CEO of that franchise.’

‘You have, what I’ve labeled, the super six that you have to pander to. No 1, the owner, No 2, the general manager, No 3, the head coach, No 4, the position coach, No 5, the players, and also No 6, the fans.’

Former NFL MVP Cam Newton has given his perspective to Shedeur Sanders on his new role

Newton is a Heisman Trophy-winning signal caller who last played in the NFL four years ago

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Despite the drama Sanders has been through, Newton sees good things in the future for the former Colorado star. 

‘This is the best situation for Shedeur because he has to claw his way to the top,’ Newton added. ‘Does he have the capabilities to do it? Absolutely. And if I’m in his camp, I’m telling him, like, “Bro, let’s get to work. Let’s control what we can control now.” I do see Shedeur Sanders starting for the Cleveland Browns at some point this year.’ 

Last September, Newton and Sanders met and had an awkward conversation before one of the Buffaloes’ games against UCF. The duo do not appear to have a professional relationship nowadays.  

For the prank call, the Atlanta Falcons were fined $250,000 for the incident, while Ulbrich was personally fined $100,000, which is about three weeks of his yearly salary.

Neither Shedeur or Deion Sanders has spoken about the prank call publicly. The coach did say he and [son] Jax are ‘taking this on the chin’ and action will take place to make sure they both learn from this incident. 

Newton last played in the NFL in 2021 after a stellar career with the Carolina Panthers and a Heisman Trophy win at Auburn, where he was also a national champion in 2010.