Deion Sanders isn't just watching from the sidelines when it comes to his son Shedeur's NFL career. The Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach has made it clear he wants a sit-down with Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken to talk about the young quarterback's game.
Speaking to Garrett Bush, Sanders emphasized that he has unique knowledge of what makes Shedeur tick, both as a father and a coach. He's eager to pass that along to Monken, believing it could be the key to unlocking his son's full potential on the field.
“I was supposed to go, actually next week but I’ve got to shoot a commercial, to Cleveland to meet [Monken],” Sanders said. “Because I want to meet him. Because I think it’s vital that as a coach, not the dad, I can tell him a few things about [Shedeur], how to get him going.”
Sanders didn't stop there. He questioned why more coaches don't reach out to mentors who have worked closely with players before they enter the NFL. Using two-way star Travis Hunter as an example, he argued that Jacksonville's coaching staff could benefit from his insight as well.
“That wasn’t asked of me a year ago. I don’t understand it,” Sanders continued. “Even a guy like Travis Hunter being drafted to Jacksonville and I’ve had him for the last three [seasons], don’t you think you would want to talk to me to ask me what gets him going and what backs him off? You would want to know that. So, I anticipate, and I can’t wait to have that conversation with Coach Monken.”
While no official meeting is on the calendar yet, Sanders seems confident something will materialize soon. The Browns are in the midst of a quarterback competition, and Shedeur is battling for the starting job after a rookie season that saw him complete 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
However, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Deshaun Watson currently has the “inside track” to be the Week 1 starter. Cabot wrote that the Browns should name Watson QB1 as soon as possible to let the first-team offense build chemistry.
“With my breaking news here that Deshaun Watson has taken the lead over Shedeur Sanders in the Browns QB competition and has the inside track to win it, I think they should declare him QB1 asap and let the 1st team offense start to cook,” Cabot posted on social media. “There’s no time to waste.”
That doesn't mean Shedeur is out of the race. If Deion gets his meeting with Monken, he could provide valuable insight that might tip the scales. The younger Sanders has already impressed many with his poise and football IQ, and his father believes a few tweaks in how he's coached could make all the difference.
For now, Shedeur will have to earn every snap the hard way. But if Deion has his way, the Browns' coaching staff will soon have a better understanding of what drives their young quarterback — and that could be the edge he needs to climb the depth chart.
This isn't the first time a Sanders has stirred things up in Cleveland. Shilo Sanders' feud with a Browns reporter earlier this year showed the family doesn't shy away from speaking their minds. And with Deion now angling for a face-to-face with Monken, the drama around the Browns' quarterback room isn't cooling down anytime soon.
