Deion Sanders Drops Cryptic Quote As Report Claims Browns Players Are Distancing Themselves From Shedeur Sanders
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Deion Sanders picked Sunday to drop a message that sounded like a challenge. The Colorado coach shared a post on Instagram Stories about rising up and making things happen. No settling for mediocrity. No waiting around. The timing matters because a report just claimed NFL players want nothing to do with his son at the Pro Bowl Games.
Richard Johnson posted on X that Browns players are avoiding Shedeur Sanders in San Francisco. Multiple players think the rookie doesn’t deserve the Pro Bowl nod and won’t associate with him, according to Johnson.
Shedeur got the call in January to replace Drake Maye. He joins Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco on the AFC roster. The fifth-round pick became the first at his draft position to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie since Puka Nacua in 2023.
Players have been reportedly “distancing themselves” from #Browns QB Shedeur Sanders at the NFL Pro Bowl Games.
Multiple players feel like he isn’t deserving of the nomination and don’t want to associate themselves with him. pic.twitter.com/FGsejEIrcX
— Richard Johnson (@RichJohnsonNFL) February 1, 2026
Deion talked about the selection on the We Got Time Today podcast with Rocsi Diaz. He said he immediately shifted into protection mode when the news hit. “As a father, you go into protection mode,” Deion said. “Like okay, is this good, is this bad, how they gonna spin it.” He mentioned Pro Bowl voting splits three ways equally: fans, coaches, and players each control one-third.
That voting structure creates problems when players reportedly think Shedeur doesn’t belong. One NFC coach told Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano that fan voting ruined the Pro Bowl’s credibility.
The Stats Paint A Rough Picture For Deion Sanders’ Son
Cleveland just hired Todd Monken after firing Kevin Stefanski. Shedeur doesn’t have a guaranteed starting spot for 2026.
His metrics don’t support Pro Bowl status. Ten interceptions against seven touchdowns created questions all year about whether he was NFL-ready. The Browns need quarterback answers, and those numbers don’t provide them. Player sentiment at the Pro Bowl only adds another layer of doubt about his future in Cleveland.
Deion’s Instagram move wasn’t accidental. He reshared Johnson’s post, then added his motivational quote. The connection was obvious. He neither defended Shedeur’s credentials nor denied the report. He pushed forward instead, demanding action.
The Pro Bowl Games start Tuesday at the Moscone Center. Shedeur plays flag football with AFC teammates who reportedly don’t want him there.
