The Cleveland Browns were never Deion Sanders’ first choice for his son, Shedeur Sanders. However, when the Colorado product slid to the fifth round of the draft, the Browns became the team that ultimately selected him. In the weeks since, rumors swirled about which teams were pursuing Shedeur and which ones the Sanders family actually favored. Back in September, reports indicated that Shedeur turned down opportunities with the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles, unwilling to sit behind elite quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts. Deion Sanders made it clear what his top choice for his son was.

Deion recently sat down with David and Derek Carr on their Home Grown with David & Derek Carr podcast. During the conversation, the Colorado Buffaloes’ head coach admitted that he wanted Shedeur to play for Derek’s team: the Saints.

“I wanted my son to be on the same team that you (Derek) were on because I know what you would pour into him,” Coach Prime said, addressing the Saints’ legend. “I really did. And you don’t know the timing of your text message to me, the emotions of your text message, the peace that it gave me. You have no idea what that meant to me.”

“So I’m thanking you again publicly about the DM or text that you sent me. Thank you, man. You have no idea. But I really did want my son on the same team that you could guide him and lead. I’m telling you, man. And God has his way and it’s going to work out. It’s going to work out good.”

The Saints with the No. 9 overall pick in the most recent draft were never a quarterback-needy team. However, they were looking for a long-term option amidst Carr’s injury complications. And ahead of the draft week, Shedeur Sanders was linked with a bunch of teams. The Saints were one of them.

Though Derek Carr officially retired from the NFL in May 2025, citing shoulder injuries, including a torn labrum and degenerative rotator cuff changes, and a desire to prioritize his family. Both Carr and the New Orleans Saints confirmed the decision, with Carr expressing gratitude to the team and fans for his career. A key factor in his retirement was his agreement to repay his 2026 salary to the Saints, ensuring the move aligned with both his family’s interests and the organization’s needs.

During his appearance on The Skip Bayless Show in late March this year, Coach Prime shared a list of NFL teams that Shedeur wanted to be drafted by.

“Shedeur has told me, he’s talked to me intently about all the visits he’s had with teams,” Deion said. “So I know where his heart is. I know where he wants to go. If it’s New York, it’s New York. If it’s Tennessee, if it’s Cleveland, if it’s the Raiders, if it’s New Orleans, if it’s any of those teams that are seeking a quarterback, I’m happy with it, man, because I know what he’s going to do to the organization. I know what he’s going to do.”

But fast forward a few months, and he just admitted his initial preference for Shedeur. Coach Prime wanted his son to develop behind Derek Carr. However, things took a certain turn. For starters, the New Orleans team selected the offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with their No. 9 overall pick. Spencer Rattler, selected in the 5th round, 150th overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 2024 NFL Draft, is currently the team’s quarterback.

And when it came to selecting a quarterback, the team ignored the Colorado product and went ahead with Tyler Shough instead, with the 40th overall pick in the second round. To make it trickier, Derek Carr also hung up his cleats in May 2025 at the age of 34. Long story short: Deion’s desire to see his son develop behind the 34-year-old QB was never fulfilled.

Derek Carr took a jab at the Browns’ Shedeur Sanders’ decision

Shedeur Sanders is yet to get his first NFL start. With Joe Flacco traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, the fifth-rounder is now expected to back up fellow rookie QB Dillon Gabriel in the Week 6 matchup, sure. But the Browns’ head coach, Kevin Stefanski, hasn’t made up his mind yet on this decision. Which naturally raises a question about Shedeur’s future in Cleveland.

Turns out, the 23-year-old QB has been having a rough stretch ever since his poor outing in the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams. Shedeur finished the game with just 3-of-6 passes for 14 yards and one fumble. To make it trickier, the Browns also pulled him out of the game in favor of Tyler Huntley for the game-winning drive on the line.

The debate after this decision was palpable, and Derek Carr didn’t shy away from questioning this move from Stefanski and his crew.

“I need to understand why we don’t get to see @ShedeurSanders run this 2-minute drill?” The NFL legend shared on his ‘X’ handle. “Wouldn’t you want to see your young QB operate in this situation? Get him more reps for the future? I didn’t see the whole game so maybe he already showed enough? Help me understand this…”

Ever since, Shedeur Sanders hasn’t seemed to have a clear future in Cleveland. He’s been named the third stringer on the roster cut-down day behind Flacco and Gabriel. Fast forward to now, and he’s expected to be named as QB2. How the fortunes change?