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Deion Sanders called out a “lie” about Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Deion Sanders didn’t take too kindly to a recent report from a Cleveland Browns insider involving his quarterback son, Shedeur Sanders, calling it out as false.
Shedeur has started the last three games for Cleveland, showing rapid growth in a short span. His latest outing — a 364-yard, four-touchdown performance in a 31-29 loss to the Tennessee Titans — highlighted just how quickly he’s adjusting to the NFL.
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot appeared on the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show this week to break down Sanders’ development.
“It’s not that they didn’t think Shedeur had that high of a football acumen. But he was starting a little back further in the process of all the things you have to do to play pro football,” Cabot said. “Just in terms of the play-calling, sliding protection and managing the motions — all that kind of stuff. He just had to get up to speed. But he has gone lightning-quick up that learning curve.
“Here’s something to remember: We have now heard from a number of people — he is in that office every single day with Kevin Stefanski, going over tape and learning the pro game. I think that has helped him tremendously. For the narrative that Kevin Stefanski has tried to sabotage him or doesn’t like him — no. The reason why Shedeur has learned as quickly as he has is because of all the extra time Kevin Stefanski has put in with him in that office.”
Deion Sanders wasted no time firing back at that narrative, responding in the comments with a single word.
“LIES,” the Hall of Famer commented.
Deion Sanders Hands on With Shedeur Despite Distance
Shedeur Sanders acknowledged that his father’s voice is still very much a part of his development, even as he navigates the NFL on his own. Deion has coached him since his earliest days in Peewee football, shaping how he sees the field, prepares for games and handles pressure.
“During the game and everything, I always hear his voice, like, in my ear,” Sanders said. “In certain situations, certain everything. And I know his expectation for me — his expectation for me is the highest than anybody is. So that’s where playing for him my whole life made it easier to come and play anywhere else, because his expectation, what he has done for himself, even being a player where he understands quarterbacks and everything. He’s definitely hard on me, definitely telling me, ‘get completions.’ Definitely telling me a recap of things that I need to do better.”
Cabot’s recent comments about Sanders arriving a little behind in the process landed as an indictment of the coaching he received growing up under his father. It helps explain why Deion responded so sharply to the idea that Stefanski is responsible for his son’s rapid progress.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Focused on Next Game
Sanders will start the final four games for the Browns, who have been eliminated from postseason contention. While the playoff picture is settled, these final outings are anything but meaningless for the rookie. They’ll serve as a critical audition as Cleveland evaluates its long-term plan at quarterback heading into the offseason.
“You don’t know what could happen. So I just go out here and enjoy my day. Work hard. Do everything I can. If I’m here, I’m here. If I’m not, I’m not,” Sanders said. “It’s nothing in my control. So I try to control what I can control. That’s going out there, making the right reads, doing the right things, being the person I am and things will fall how they’re supposed to.”
The stakes are elevated given Cleveland’s draft capital. The Browns hold two first-round picks and could use one of them to select a quarterback of the future. Sanders’ performance down the stretch will help determine whether the team stays committed to his development or turns to the draft for what they see as a long-term answer under center.
J.R. DeGroote JR DeGroote is a staff writer for Heavy.com, where he has covered the NFL, NBA, and trending sports stories since 2019. His work focuses on some of the most passionate fanbases in sports, including reporting on the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers. More about J.R. DeGroote
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