Deion Sanders Was Actually Disappointed By Shedeur's Rookie Season

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Holleran | Last updated Jun 18, 2026 7:00 PM ET

By all accounts, Shedeur Sanders outperformed expectations during his rookie season with the Cleveland Browns.

Sanders, a fifth round NFL Draft pick, ended up taking over as Cleveland's starting quarterback midway through the season. He threw for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns and ended up making the Pro Bowl (yes, a lot of top QBs had to drop out due to injury or other obligations, but still).

However, while Shedeur Sanders had a successful rookie season by most measures, his dad, Deion Sanders, was not that impressed.

Deion Sanders admitted that he was expecting more from his son during his rookie season in Cleveland.

Shedeur Sanders did throw more interceptions than touchdown passes. He had a lackluster completion percentage (56.6 percent) and QBR (18.9) as well.

Deion Sanders opens up about Shedeur's rookie year

Deion Sanders told Covers in an exclusive interview that he was expecting more from his son. However, it's a team game.

"I would have wanted him to perform a little better, but that's not just an individual thing, that's a team thing," Sanders told Covers.

He added: "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."

The Browns traded star pass rusher Myles Garrett this offseason, but they'll look to take a step forward in 2026.

It remains to be seen if Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson will win the starting QB job.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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