Shedeur Sanders was once again on the sidelines during the week 4 fixture against the Detroit Lions. Kevin Stefanski started Joe Flacco and benched Dillon Gabriel. Late in the game, Gabriel, however, received some action, yet the Cleveland Browns lost 34-10 to the Lions. Last week, Shedeur Sanders made comments about other quarterbacks in the league and claimed he is a better performer than most.
Former NFL head coach Rex Ryan publicly criticized the quarterback who has yet to start this season. Deion Sanders, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach, addressed the situation directly. Defending his son, he shared a message of support across his X and Instagram accounts. His remarks stressed a shift in focus and a call to move away from outside distractions.
“Let’s go, baby! Get back to the real You! Stop trying to appease people & focus on pleasing GOD! You’re giving attention to the wrong people, places & things. Refocus, Reenergize & Reclaim the real You! Your today is so much better than your yesterday. #CoachPrime,” Deion Sanders shared on his X and Instagram post. With a caption that read, “You are better than what is being shown.”
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The response came after Ryan questioned Shedeur’s maturity and leadership in recent commentary, sparking pushback from the Sanders family. Shedeur Sanders, now in his rookie season, has been under an intense spotlight. Drafted into the NFL after a standout career at Colorado under his father’s coaching, he entered the league with heavy expectations.
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Fifth-round pick Sanders ranked fourth among Cleveland quarterbacks, behind Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Gabriel. He showcased his ability to make tight-window completions in Week 1 of the preseason. In a 30-10 Browns victory, he played the majority of the game and completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
Pilar Sanders, Shedeur’s mother and Deion’s ex-wife, added her own pointed message on Instagram Stories. She condemned the tone of the criticism and questioned its deeper intent, framing it as harmful to the spirit of competition and damaging to the game’s culture.
“To young Athletes and Football fans… This is what imp-ent, cancerous, envious energy looks like,” she wrote in a post on her Instagram Stories. “This type of Evile [sic] goes waaay back – you can cut it with a kn-fe – embedded in bl–d and bones seeping through all of the rotting worm holes [sic] it has. What and who does he really represent? Its’ family and peers should be embarrassed to know and let this on their platforms. There’s no room for this type in sports,” Pilar Sanders further elaborated on her Instagram Stories, which was taken down soon after, according to Fox News.
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Shedeurs’ adjustment has been closely scrutinized, with critics noting the challenges of transitioning to professional defenses. Online reports focused on the growing debate surrounding Ryan’s comments and the Sanders family’s response. The exchange highlights the pressures on a young quarterback trying to establish himself. The public defense from his parents underscores the personal stakes attached to his development.
Rex Ryan Criticizes Shedeur Sanders’ Readiness for NFL Role
Former NFL head coach Rex Ryan has raised questions about Shedeur Sanders’ readiness to lead at the professional level. Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up, Ryan criticized Sanders and said, “This kid talks, and he runs his mouth. Like he said, ‘I can be a starting quarterback’ with his arms crossed like this. Get your a– in the front row and study and do all that. If I know, the whole league knows. Quit being an embarrassment that way. You’ve got the talent to be the quarterback; you should be. You should be embarrassed that you’re not the quarterback now.”
Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, entered the NFL this season after two standout years at Colorado. He threw for over 3,200 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2023, according to ESPN and NFL.com, showcasing accuracy and composure behind center. His draft stock rose quickly as scouts praised his mechanics and pocket awareness.
“I know if you see the quarterback play in the league right now, I know I’m capable of doing better than that,” Shedeur said earlier this week.
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Sanders played football for the Colorado Buffaloes for two of his four years as a starter. With a 9-4 overall record and a 7-2 Big 12 conference record in 2024, Sanders helped guide the squad to its best season since 2016. Sanders passed for 37 touchdowns and 4,134 yards in the year 2024. He only threw 10 interceptions and had a 74.0 completion percentage. Sanders was instrumental in transforming the Colorado Buffaloes, who finished 1-11 in 2022, into a successful program in just two seasons.
Ryan’s comments underscore a league-wide uncertainty about whether Sanders’ transition from college dominance to NFL execution can meet expectations. While Shedeur has yet to secure a consistent starting role, his fellow QBs on the roster are ahead of him. And his time on the sidelines limits a full evaluation.