Some rookies arrive at their first NFL preseason game in a suit. Some keep it casual in sweats. Shedeur Sanders? He showed up with teammate Tony Brown and a full-sized reaper prop, like he was about to lead the Browns onto the set of a Halloween special. Almost as if he were less “rookie QB” and more “special guest star” on a Halloween episode of Hard Knocks.

But the real headline wasn’t the reaper; it was the no-show. Deion Sanders, Coach Prime himself, was nowhere in sight. For anyone expecting a proud dad cameo on the sideline, his absence felt rather peculiar. But there’s a reason behind it, and Shedeur opened up about it.

NFL reporter Cameron Wolfe asked Shedeur about his dad’s no-show, and his response? Typical Shedeur. “He told his dad, Deion, don’t come out here until I earn more reps.” Yeah, the man isn’t allowing him to come unless he bears some real responsibility.

Why would a rookie QB not want his father to be there for him? You could argue that he only wants Deion to see the best of him. When he’s the main character. And getting snaps in a preseason game doesn’t scream very ‘main-character’, does it?  And there’s a rather simple logic behind it. Something he didn’t say out loud, but it definitely played a part.

Deion Sanders is a walking headline. His arrival would bring more noise to an already hyped-up Shedeur. That’s the last thing he wants. It’s also the last thing the Browns want. Cleveland’s quarterback depth chart remains crowded, and coaches want evaluation time without the added spotlight. So the ‘earning reps’ thing? It’s not a throwaway phrase; it’s an uphill climb.

Will Shedeur be running with the ones anytime soon? Well, not just yet. Stefanski’s been pretty up front: this first preseason game was a scheduled audition. He flat-out said Sanders would start and “play a lot,” but that’s not the same as handing him the keys. The Browns are doing the smart thing here: letting the vets hold down the fort while the rookie fights his way up.

So how’s he doing so far against the Panthers? Let’s just say, it looks like a classic rookie act so far. Little good, little ‘back to the film room.’ He went 5-for-10 so far for 33 yards, which won’t exactly light up SportsCenter, but it also wasn’t a meltdown. There were flashes: a couple of crisp throws, decent poise, mixed with some timing issues. But for a QB4? Solid performance.

Probably another reason why he wanted his dad to sit this one out. Right now, he’s trying to get graded on how he reads a defense at NFL speed, not how many retweets he racks up. Honestly? Pretty sharp for a rookie who knows the difference between hype and habit. Oh, and Deion’s health might’ve played a part too.

The other reason Coach Prime might be absent

Yeah, don’t expect Deion to make long trips anytime soon. Back in late July, Deion shared that doctors found a cancerous tumor on his bladder earlier this offseason. The fix wasn’t small: major surgery to remove his bladder, followed by reconstructive work. The good news? Medical staff now say he’s cancer-free.

Deion’s been upfront about dropping weight and taking time to get his strength back, and his doctors have made it clear he’ll be monitored closely even as he returns to coaching. So those cross-country flights, parking himself on hard stadium benches, and soaking up the social media spotlight might not be the best idea right now.

Actually, Deion made just one high-profile trip this summer. Dropping by to see his son, Shilo, at Buccaneers camp. But it was more of a check-in than a media-filled spectacle. Reporters on the scene painted it as a short, supportive visit, not him setting up shop on the sideline.

But oh, he’s supporting Shedeur from home. The man has already made three tweets since the game started. “Yes Lawd! Yes!” He said, after that first touchdown of the night. He’s a proud man tonight. Yes, those rookie hiccups were there, but the kid has been solid so far. This isn’t a QB4 display. And when Stefanski sees that? Expect more reps for Shedeur, and more stadium appearances for Coach Prime.