Shedeur Sanders is in the Pro Bowl, and it has sent ripples across the NFL World.

From fans to experts, the NFL stands divided on that matter. Though much of the talk is criticism, Shannon Sharpe has stepped in to defend the Browns' rookie.

"He's not the first alternate to ever make the Pro Bowl. He's not, he's not going to be the last alternate to make the Pro Bowl...we saw Huntley just a few years ago making," he said on the Nightcap podcast.

The former player was talking about the time when Tyler Huntley was selected to the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl as an alternate for the AFC, much like Shedeur Sanders this year. The NFL legend then went on to talk about how the value of the Pro Bowl has dropped and how Sanders made it.

"It normally meant something. It doesn't have the same cache, but congratulations to Shedeur," he said. "Patrick Mahomes was hurt, Bo Nix is hurt...Aaron Rodgers, like, nah, I don't, I don't need that trip. Lamar's like, nah, I got other things to do."But Sharpe defending the Browns' rookie like this has the NFL world divided.

Many have supported it, saying, "@ShedeurSanders as if he picked himself to be on the #ProBowlGames . Thats so dumb and they are adults and bots. Always going after the little guy as if the #nfl didnt pick him for the ratings. I mean damn I thought yall were true fans of the game. Yall cant see that."

And indeed, Shedeur Sanders wasn't the original pick for the Pro Bowl; it was Drake Maye. But he is going to the Super Bowl, and Justin Herbert, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and others were also unable to play due to injuries or other commitments.

Therefore, the NFL selected Sanders. But a lot of fans have rained down on Sharpe for supporting him.

Fans are Divided Over Shannon Sharpe's Take on Shedeur Sanders' Pro Bowl Selection

Many fans have accused Shrape of having a better friendship with Sanders' father Deion Sanders and henceforth defending the rookie. "If you watch NightCap you know they have only this take bc of their friendship/respect fort Deion. Deep down inside they know he didn’t deserve it," a comment read.

Another fan said, "We get it. Deion is your boy and journalistic integrity is for the real sports commentators." The NFL world needs no introduction to Deion Sanders. He is a 2-time NFL Champion, a 2011 NFL Champion, and the NFL also selected him for 8 Pro Bowls in his 14 NFL seasons.

But there has been support as well, like a fan talked about Shrape and then said, "I hope Shedeur gets a good O-Line in Pro Bowl and shows out, to basically preview what he can do with a good line and good receivers".

The Browns' OL was not good, allowing 53 team sacks in the 2025 season. They also surrendered 224 total pressures on 643 pass plays.

Shedeur Sanders had a passer rating of 68.1 with 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 8 games this season. He also rushed for 169 yards and 1 rushing touchdown.

Do you think he deserved the Pro Bowl?

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu