Deion Sanders has never sugarcoated what it takes to win in the NFL. He lived it. So when he talks about what his son Shedeur is dealing with in Cleveland, the words carry weight.
After watching Shedeur’s rookie season with the Cleveland Browns from the outside, Coach Prime has a clear-eyed take on what will take him to succeed at quarterback in the NFL.
Deion Sanders on What Shedeur Needs
After taking over as the starter midway through last season, Shedeur Sanders went 3-4 with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Browns finished 5-12, and expectations heading into 2026 remain low. Shedeur is currently competing with veteran Deshaun Watson for the starting job.
Deion Sanders addressed his son’s performance directly in an exclusive interview with Covers.com on behalf of his partnership with Depend.
“I would have wanted him to perform a little better, but that’s not just an individual thing, that’s a team thing,” Deion Sanders said.
He went further, drawing a clear line between how a cornerback and a quarterback are evaluated.
“A quarterback needs help tremendously from the offensive line, from the receivers, from the running game, from the coordinators as well. It’s not just a singular thing, like a defensive back. I don’t care what the pass rush is, (the DB) has got to do his job. It’s a little different with a quarterback. He needs several things to go right for him to be successful.”
Shedeur is entering year two on a team still searching for its identity. The supporting cast Deion Sanders described as essential is still being built.
His Take on The Myles Garrett Trade
The Browns also traded reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams this offseason, a move that signals the franchise is in a full rebuild.
Dieon Sanders said he trusts the front office to handle it.
“I’m happy with Mr. Berry, the GM, and what he’s doing, I’m not going to question his direction of what he’s bringing to the table. I’m not there, so I don’t know all the intangibles that provoked that trade.”
The Garrett trade leaves Cleveland thinner on talent, but Sanders is not second-guessing the process from the outside.
Travis Hunter’s Rookie Year
The conversation also turned to former Colorado star Travis Hunter, who had a rough debut season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hunter was limited to seven games after tearing a ligament in his right knee, finishing with 28 receptions, 298 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions on defense.
Deion Sanders made his position on how Hunter should be used plain.
“The kid won the Heisman Trophy playing both sides of the ball. That’s all I gotta say on that.”
He added that no comparison exists for what Hunter brings to a football field.
“There’s no comparison to what he’s able to produce on the field. It’s no comparison. I can’t say who I would compare him to, because I would be lessening that person.”
Deion Sanders confirmed he still mentors Hunter regularly. “I consider him not only as one of my players, but he still is like a son to me.”
Between Shedeur’s development in Cleveland, the Garrett trade, and Hunter’s recovery in Jacksonville, Deion Sanders has plenty to track across the league. He is focused on Colorado, but the connections to the NFL are hard to ignore.
Also Read: Deion Sanders Reveals Shedeur’s First Big Purchase After Earning $18M In NFL Rookie Season