Deion: Shedeur Sanders ‘went through hell’ during NFL Draft process, rookie season with Browns

How did Deion Sanders view the pre-draft process for his son Shedeur before the Cleveland Browns ultimately selected the quarterback in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft?

"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," Deion Sanders told Garrett Bush of “The Barbershop” podcast this week. “He kept going and he matured, not like he was a child, but he matured spiritually. … You can't force this. If it ain't your time, it ain't your time."

The former Colorado Buffalo drew plenty of attention leading up to the draft with speculation swirling about where he might land. Reports that Shedeur did not interview well with teams added to the intrigued behind his fall to the third day.

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Deion Sanders spoke out against such reports, backing up his son’s pre-NFL success with how he readies himself to play.

"It was some ignorant things came out about him pre-draft and all that, and that was a lie," Deion said. "Like, he would never go into a meeting with headphones on. He would never go into a meeting unprepared. Like, that's just not who he is. There's no way he could accomplish the things he accomplished without being prepared."

Once the NFL season kicked off, the focus on Shedeur was when he would play. The Browns began the 2025 season with Joe Flacco as the starter and Sanders third on the depth chart behind fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.

After not taking first-team reps during training camp, Shedeur moved up the depth chart to second after Flacco was dealt to the Cincinnati Bengals before Week 6. Sanders did not take a snap until the second half of Week 11 after Gabriel was concussed against the Baltimore Ravens.

BEREA, OHIO - APRIL 21: Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Cleveland Browns answers questions from the media after a voluntary veteran minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 21, 2026 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

(Nick Cammett via Getty Images)

Shedeur would start the Browns' final seven games of the season with the team going 3-4. Head coach Kevin Stefanski was fired and former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken was hired.

Shedeur finished his rookie year with 1,400 passing yards, 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in eight games.

When Shedeur and Monken finally met in late January, the new Browns head coach reminded his young quarterback that the Ravens were interested in drafting him, but Sanders reportedly told Baltimore he did not want to have to sit behind Lamar Jackson.

Deion Sanders said he is a fan of Monken's directness. "He keeps it a buck."

Deion added that he wants to meet with Monken as “Deion Sanders the coach,” not “Deion Sanders the dad,” in order to allow the new coach to better understand his potential starting quarterback.

“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?,” Deion said. “You would want to know that.

"So, I anticipate, and I can't wait to have that conversation with Coach Monken."

As training camp approaches, Deshaun Watson was reportedly leading the race to be the Browns’ No. 1 quarterback. Monken said earlier this month that he’s “not there yet” on the decision, but Sanders will have his opportunity to make his case for the job.