ClutchPoints
Deion Sanders has dedicated much of his life to football, and through that sport, he has been able to share a famously close bond with his sons. On Friday night, the Colorado Buffaloes head coach will endure a surreal experience, as he gets set to watch, but not coach, Shedeur Sanders. The polarizing quarterback prospect will also venture into unfamiliar territory. He will start for the Cleveland Browns in their preseason game versus the Carolina Panthers, without having his father and longtime coach to turn to on the sidelines.
Although their paths are no longer intersecting on the gridiron, these two confident men still lean on each other. Deion Sanders is bracing himself for an unusual viewing experience, but he fully expects his 23-year-old son to dazzle in Bank of America Stadium.
“It’s going to be strange for both of us,” the all-time great defensive back told reporters in Boulder, via NFL on ClutchPoints. “Me going out there taking that walk and him taking that walk, and he knows that I’m not there. That’s different for him, but he’s so prepared right now. A lot of people are approaching it like a preseason game. he’s approaching it like a game.”
“He’s gonna be a problem there tonight.”
Deion Sanders on son Shedeur starting for the Browns in tonight’s preseason game
(via @gucceCU)pic.twitter.com/eqeOeMVjWJ
— NFL on ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsNFL) August 8, 2025
Although the Browns will not say it, this is an important matchup for both Shedeur Sanders and the franchise. Including the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, they currently have four quarterbacks on the active roster. Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel are all ahead of Sanders on the unofficial depth chart, a decision that has rubbed many fans the wrong way. Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski is unlikely to retain all of them when the regular season begins.
Considering that Sanders plunged all the way to the fifth round of the NFL Draft, much to the dismay of the public, he is not guaranteed a locker. Though, judging by reports out of training camp, the Second-Team All-American has performed solidly to this point. There are plenty who believe he deserves more reps than fellow rookie Gabriel and former first-rounder Kenny Pickett, but the Browns have made their present stance quite clear.
If both of those signal-callers were healthy, Stefanski would probably not be starting Sanders. That is the reality of the situation, but the young Texan can change that narrative by lighting up the Panthers in preseason play. He understands what this night means. It is another chance to show that he does in fact possess the talent and work ethic to develop into a successful NFL quarterback.
Deion Sanders, who has a big year ahead as well after overcoming bladder cancer, is not worried in the least...
