Is Shedeur Sanders being held back by the Browns or by his own last name?

By Ryan K Boman | The Sporting News | Dec 1, 2025

When Shedeur Sanders took the helm as the Cleveland Browns‘ starting quarterback recently, it gave fans in the Dawg Pound hope. While merely a fifth-round pick, Sanders’ potential and pedigree were enough to believe he could beat the odds and become capable in the pocket. Unfortunately for the QB and Cleveland (3-9), they remain a last-place squad in the AFC North, and they got clubbed by the San Francisco 49ers, 26-8, on Sunday.

For Shedeur, part of his problems stems from his famous father, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. It’s widely believed that Shedeur’s stock dropped in the 2025 NFL draft due to his dad’s interference in the process. That set a precedent for how he’s been viewed by many around the NFL since then. The label of ‘spoiled malcontent’ hasn’t worn off, and Sanders’ play has done him no favors when it comes to erasing that image. However, despite his inconsistency, he will return for the third start of his career against the Tennessee Titans (1-11) in Week 14.

“I’d have to look at [the game film]. Obviously, he’s battling, like all of our guys are battling,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski stated, according to ESPN. “I know there’s plays he wants back, but we’ll look at it and… Read More HERE