Shedeur Sanders draws comparisons to Joe Burrow from Titans HC Brian Callahan, NFL scouts

The big debate around the 2025 NFL Draft will be the first quarterback off the board. Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders are the headliners at the position, but it’s still not clear which will be selected first.

The two quarterbacks have vastly different skillsets. Ward is more of an improviser and Sanders is effective from the pocket. Sanders, however, drew a lofty comparison from Titans coach Brian Callahan and some scouts this week.

Callahan – whose team currently holds the No. 1 pick – sees a little bit of Joe Burrow in Sanders’ game. The Colorado star was the most accurate passer in the country in his final season of college football, and that accuracy could help him overcome questions about his arm strength.

“People had questions about Burrow’s arm strength in general coming out,” Callahan told ESPN’s Turron Davenport. “One of the things that makes Joe so unique, and I think you can probably put Shedeur in the same conversation. … They anticipate when they throw it, they have the timing and accuracy on top of it. That makes up for the arm strength.

“Those things are how you make up for maybe not having the biggest arm. If you’re throwing on time and putting a ball when and where you’re supposed to go, you’re not going to have too many problems.”

Bucky Brooks ‘can see why’ Shedeur Sanders, Joe Burrow draw comparisons

Callahan, of course, knows Burrow well from his time in Cincinnati. He was on the Bengals’ staff as offensive coordinator when they took Burrow No. 1 overall out of LSU, and he quickly became one of the top quarterbacks in the league.

In his lone season at LSU, which resulted in the Heisman Trophy, Burrow led the FBS with a 76.3% completion percentage, 5,671 passing yards and 60 touchdowns. Sanders had an even higher completion percentage this past season at 74% while adding 4,134 yards and 30 touchdowns.

It’s easy to see the similarities. NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks does, and he agreed with Callahan’s assessment of Burrow and Sanders’ skillsets. But he also sees parallels off the field.

“The comparison between Sanders and Burrow is not as crazy as some would think,” Brooks said. “Both play the game like pass-first point guards, showcasing touch, timing and anticipation instead of superior arm talent. Throw in their moxie and swag, I can see why Callahan compares the two.”

Shedeur Sanders didn’t participate in this week’s East-West Shrine Bowl, but still met with teams – including the Titans. He’ll continue making his case for the No. 1 pick throughout the pre-draft process, Indianapolis as the next stop for the NFL Scouting Combine.