The Cleveland Browns are still weighing their head coaching hire but one former NFLer thinks the decision should be in an effort to propel Shedeur Sanders.

The Browns have cast a wide net in their head coaching search, interviewing candidates ranging from Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski to current defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. One notable omission, however, has been Deion Sanders, the head coach at Colorado and the father of Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

That absence hasn’t gone unnoticed. Former NFL linebacker and analyst Emmanuel Acho argued that if Cleveland is serious about building around Shedeur Sanders, it should at least consider “Coach Prime” as part of the conversation moving forward.

“If Shedeur is going to be the future, you’re not going to draft a quarterback, you can’t get (Fernando) Mendoza, it’s not a quarterback class — who has always gotten the most out of Shedeur?” Acho said. “Deion Sanders.”

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Admitted Adjustment to Playing With Dad

Shedeur Sanders was coached by his Hall of Fame father for his entire football career until he was drafted by the Browns in the fifth round. Shedeur admitted at the end of his rookie season that it was an adjustment for him.

“This year been the first year with a different head coach than Pop. So that was the adjustment off rip, and it was cool, it was straight,” Sanders said. “Building different relationships in different circumstances, situations, which is always good to have those life goals and have those life lessons around. Just to have them on building blocks, so then you’re prepared for any situation. So that’s what this last year was.”

Sanders had an interesting first NFL season, starting with his fall in the draft from a projected early first-round pick to the fifth round and selection No. 144. He’s looking forward to having a full offseason available to prepare for his second season.

“It’s a whole deep dive that you have to dive into when it comes to this offseason, and mentally getting there and preparing everybody. Whether it’s the connection with the receivers and everybody, to have those moments where it could be risky plays, but it’s always going to fall in our direction. I’ll be able to build with those guys and whoever is coming to the program.”

Browns Not Committed to Shedeur Sanders

If the Browns were all in on Shedeur Sanders, it would make sense to consider his dad as the team’s next head coach. But Cleveland is not all-in on Sanders being their quarterback of the future, which was evident in comments made by Browns general manager Andrew Berry at the end of the season.

“I think we saw a lot of progress with Shedeur this year. I think that’s both mentally, physically, playing the position. He’s still very much a work in progress like many rookie quarterbacks are,” Berry said. “Now that all being said, we’re going to do our work on the quarterback market. It’s too important of a position and it’s something that has to be solidified. I can’t sit here and tell you today, you know, whether the solution for or the starter in 2026 is internal or external.”

As Acho noted, the Browns are likely out of the mix for one of the top quarterbacks in the draft. However, Cleveland still has Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson under contract for next season. The Browns could also investigate adding another veteran to compete for the starting role.