Deion Sanders says Shedeur 'went through hell' in NFL Draft process and rookie season with Browns

Deion Sanders has shared his perspective on the challenging pre-draft process his son Shedeur faced before being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The former NFL star described the difficulties his son endured, stating,

“When he takes off his shirt, I see the scars on his back that he's been through hell, but he's made it through hell.”

Shedeur Sanders, a former Colorado Buffalo quarterback, was a major topic of discussion leading up to the draft, with speculation about his potential landing spot. Reports suggested he did not interview well with teams, which contributed to his drop to the third day of the draft. Deion Sanders refuted these claims, insisting his son was never unprepared or disrespectful in meetings.

“It was some ignorant things came out about him pre-draft and all that, and that was a lie,”

Once the NFL season began, attention shifted to when Shedeur would see the field. The Browns started with Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback, and Shedeur was initially third on the depth chart behind fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. After Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, Shedeur moved up to second string. He didn't take a snap until the second half of Week 11 when Gabriel suffered a concussion against the Baltimore Ravens.

Shedeur started the final seven games of the season, leading the Browns to a 3-4 record. He finished his rookie year with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and ten interceptions. Following the season, head coach Kevin Stefanski was fired, and former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken was hired as his replacement.

When Shedeur and Monken met in late January, Monken revealed that the Ravens had considered drafting Sanders, but the quarterback reportedly declined due to a desire not to sit behind Lamar Jackson. Deion Sanders expressed support for Monken's direct coaching style, noting,

“He keeps it a buck.”

Deion also expressed interest in meeting with Monken as a coach rather than a father, to help the new head coach better understand his potential starting quarterback. He said,

“Even a guy like Travis Hunter being drafted to Jacksonville and I've had him for the last three years, don't you think you would want to talk to me to ask me what gets him going and what backs him off?”

As training camp approaches, Deshaun Watson is reportedly the favorite to start for the Browns, but Monken has not yet made a final decision. Sanders will have the opportunity to compete for the starting job.