In college, Shedeur Sanders looked untouchable — a quarterback dripping with swagger, style, and “Prime Time” DNA. The son of Deion Sanders wasn’t just a player; he was a brand, a walking highlight reel with the world watching every snap. But in the NFL, the lights shine differently. Stardom doesn’t guarantee security, and hype doesn’t buy patience. Now, whispers around Cleveland grow louder: is Shedeur Sanders walking into the same trap that swallowed Tim Tebow — a beloved superstar whose celebrity burned brighter than his NFL career?
NFL teams hate distractions from backups. Will Sanders’ star power work against him? Plus: MPJ won’t stop talking.
In college, Shedeur Sanders was him. In the NFL, he is becoming Tim.
And that’s not good.
The only thing NFL coaches hate more than pre-snap penalties are distractions. And this is where Sanders’ star power works against him with the Cleveland Browns. Remember Tim Tebow? Of course you do. He is the only drafted Broncos quarterback to win a playoff game. He was traded after that season, started two games for the New York Jets, and disappeared into TV work.
Sanders profiles as an NFL starter. Should be one.
But the league did not see him that way, with 143 players selected before the Browns pulled the ripcord on his free fall. Even that was a mess since they had drafted Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel in the third round. Fifth-round picks are not guaranteed roster spots. Sanders needed to show up in Cleveland with a low profile — no personal media crew, and, in hindsight, an Uber gift card to avoid speeding tickets.
Sanders is better than Gabriel, whose helmet is already hitting his ceiling. But that doesn’t matter. If the Browns believe Sanders is a backup — and foolishly keeping four quarterbacks on the opening roster will scream as much — then they will want him to blend into the furniture.
CU fans love Shedeur’s brand. The style. The watch flex. It worked famously in Boulder. But for all the advantages of playing for his father, Deion Sanders, there was a clear downside of facing no consequences or competition.
His success was legendary. In the NFL, he is currently viewed as ordinary. It’s not fair. However, unless you are a first-round pick, have a huge contract, or are a coach’s favorite, you don’t get the benefit of the doubt.
Coaches don’t want celebrity quarterbacks. And they definitely don’t want celebrity backup quarterbacks. Don’t believe it? How quickly did the careers of Cam Newton and Jay Cutler end?
Sanders, who sat out last week with an oblique injury, will play in the Browns’ final preseason game after Threshold starter Joe Flacco and Gabriel.
