Travis Kelce criticizes anonymous coach over Shedeur Sanders’ draft slide.

On the latest episode of the New Heights podcast, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce voiced strong frustration over how former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders slipped dramatically in the recent NFL Draft. Once seen as a potential top-five pick, Sanders fell all the way to the Cleveland Browns at No. 144, and Kelce took issue with the anonymous criticism that may have contributed to his drop.

Drawing from his own experience—Kelce himself slid in the 2013 draft due to character concerns—he blasted the unnamed source who reportedly leaked negative information about Sanders.

“I think whoever the f****** anonymous person is should come out and say who they were,” Kelce said. “If you’re going to leak that kind of s**t, be the one to stand behind it. Don’t hide behind ‘anonymous’—it’s lame. There’s just no truth to that stuff.”

Kelce’s passionate comments reflect a broader frustration among players and fans who believe that behind-the-scenes narratives can unfairly damage a young athlete’s reputation. Many analysts and former players have expressed similar confusion about Sanders’ unexpected draft-day slide.

Back in 2013, Kelce was picked 63rd overall in the third round by the Chiefs, despite concerns about his past. Head coach Andy Reid even made light of those concerns during Kelce’s draft call, highlighting how often assumptions can miss the mark.

With Sanders now officially in the NFL, Kelce and others hope he’ll get the chance to prove the doubters wrong—just like Kelce did over a decade ago.