The Cleveland Browns are set to usher in a new era of football within the organization. Led by first-time head coach Todd Monken, the Browns’ new leadership and altered coaching staff will hope to improve on another failed postseason berth.
With this new look leadership, fans have begun to wonder where Pro Bowl quarterback Shedeur Sanders stands within the organization.
Deion Sanders Calls Out Critics While Defending Son Shedeur
Well, his Hall of Fame father, Deion Sanders, recently made his opinion clear on whether his son has proven himself enough to remain the Browns’ starter to begin his second year in the NFL.
During his appearance on ESPN’s “First Take,” Sanders, the current coach of the NCAA’s Colorado Buffaloes, was asked about the advice he has given his son Shedeur after Monken was appointed as the Browns’ next head coach, and since he has not yet committed to a starting quarterback for the 2026 season.
Sanders opened his statement with one simple word: work. “Work, that’s the way you win everything in life, work,” Sanders said.
“All the bulljunk they was putting out on him this time last year, where has that gone? Because he’s a true leader, he’s a bonafide baller, he can play” – Deion Sanders on Shedeur pic.twitter.com/MTVZKFhs38
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 6, 2026
Sanders then went on to call out all the critics who doubted the quarterback following the 2025 NFL Draft when Sanders surprisingly fell to the Browns in the fifth round. Sanders believes his son proved plenty of doubters wrong throughout his rookie season.
“All the bulljunk they was putting out on him this time last year, where has that gone? Because he’s a true leader, he’s a bona fide baller, he can play.” Sanders said. Sanders’ play impressed enough to earn a Pro Bowl nod, and although he did pick up three of the Browns’ total five wins during the 2025 season, his stats were far from eye-popping.
In eight games this season, Sanders completed 56.6 percent of his passes, with 1400 passing yards, for seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also tacked on 169 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
According to PFSN’s QB Impact grades (QBi), Sanders graded out with an F (56.9). That ranks 42nd out of 44 eligible quarterbacks in the entire NFL. Deion had some strong advice for his son, advice that will be important in earning that starting role for the new season.
“Just the work, just getting in there with the head coach, get in there with the OC, getting in the playbook early, and just put in work,” Sanders said, concluding his statement.
Sanders believes his son has proven that he can play in this league, and he’s capable of running an NFL offense; however, with a new head coach in town, Sanders says his son must now put in the work to evolve to another level while proving he wants to be the starter more than anyone else.
Sanders believes hard work is the key to success, and now his son must put in that same level of work to get the Browns out of the basement of the AFC North.
