LSU Legend Takes Aim at Shedeur Sanders’ Pro Bowl Nod as Deion Sanders Sends Cryptic Message
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Deion Sanders’ son Shedeur made the Pro Bowl as a rookie fifth-round pick. That alone sounds like a feel-good story. But his numbers tell a different tale. Seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions in limited action doesn’t scream All-Star caliber, and former LSU safety Tyrann Mathieu isn’t buying the hype surrounding the Cleveland Browns quarterback’s postseason honor.
Mathieu torched Sanders’ Pro Bowl selection on his “In the Bayou” podcast, questioning how a quarterback with more picks than scores deserves recognition. Sanders replaced injured Patriots quarterback Drake Maye on the AFC roster after throwing for just 1,400 yards across seven starts and one relief appearance.
“That’s what I don’t like, bro, we cannot reward mediocrity,” Mathieu said. “If you got more interceptions than touchdowns, there’s no way you should be rewarded.” Sanders finished with a 56.6% completion rate and a 68.1 passer rating. Pro Football Focus ranked him 38th out of 38 quarterbacks who received grades in 2025.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Former star NFL S Tyrann Mathieu says “you can’t reward mediocrity” in response to Shedeur Sanders being named a pro bowler.
“We cannot reward mediocrity… If you have more interceptions than touchdowns, there’s no way you should be rewarded.”
(via:… pic.twitter.com/CVi1ebFhyN
— JPA (@jasrifootball) February 3, 2026
Deion Sanders’ cryptic post arrived right as Mathieu’s podcast comments gained traction across social media.
“Don’t argue or negotiate with Gods timing!” Deion wrote on Instagram. “Gods timing is impeccable & perfect. If it hadn’t happened for u yet, it’s not time! Be patient Be present & perfect your Gifting’s. God got this!”
Sanders was the first fifth-round pick to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie since Rams receiver Puka Nacua in 2023. Pro Bowl voting is split 1/3 among fans, players, and coaches. Critics argue Sanders’ massive social media following and the Sanders name carried him over more deserving candidates. Deion Sanders posted a message on Instagram Stories on Feb. 3 that seemed to address the criticism without naming it directly.
Deion Sanders Is Not Taking Things Lightly With The Selection
Senior Sanders told the We Got Time Today podcast with Rocsi Diaz that he immediately went into “Daddy Mode” after hearing about his son’s selection.
He was thinking strategically about how to package the honor.
“As a father, you go into protection mode,” Deion said. “Like okay, is this good, is this bad, how they gonna spin it, how they gonna flip it.” An NFC coach texted Sports Illustrated that fan voting has ruined the Pro Bowl’s credibility. “The most popular guy on TikTok goes to the Pro Bowl now,” the coach said.
Sanders told NFL.com he was surprised by the selection and admitted he wasn’t expecting it. The debate over merit versus popularity just heated up with a Hall of Famer’s son caught in the middle.
