A losing record and more interceptions than touchdowns rarely equals a Pro Bowl nod. But for Shedeur Sanders, it did just that, sparking a league-wide debate while his family celebrated him surpassing a milestone set by his Hall of Fame father. His sister, Deiondra Sanders, kept the support loud as the Cleveland Browns quarterback reached the Pro Bowl. 

“Congratulations Shedeur! What God got for you is for YOU!! 🫶🏽,” Deiondra poured her heart out on X. 

With the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots locking in their Super Bowl spots, the NFL has shifted focus to filling out Pro Bowl alternates. Shedeur’s Pro Bowl selection ignited backlash, as few expected him to even be on the quarterback shortlist.

The numbers tell the story. Shedeur made seven starts and went 3-4, completing just 56.6 percent of his throws with 7 touchdowns against 10 interceptions and an 18.9 quarterback rating. It made the AFC quarterback comparison into a cartoonish mismatch.

Despite underwhelming stats fueling backlash, Shedeur’s Pro Bowl selection marked a milestone his Hall of Fame father, Deion Sanders, didn’t achieve in his rookie season. The Atlanta Falcons picked Coach Prime fifth overall in the 1989 NFL Draft. He then played 14 NFL seasons for teams including the Falcons, 49ers, Cowboys, Redskins, and Ravens. Shedeur’s father received eight Pro Bowl selections; however, he had to wait until 1991 to take his first trip. 

“God is so darn good!!!” proud Papa Prime dropped in his message. “That’s why we praise God morning, noon & night! Lord, we thank you for it ALL.”

The Browns quarterback is set to be the first fifth-round pick in a rookie year to reach the Pro Bowl since Puka Nacua’s run in Los Angeles. AFC quarterbacks slated for the Pro Bowl included Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen, Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert, and New England Patriots’ Drake Maye. But Maye’s Super Bowl LX trip created a spot for a replacement.

Shedeur’s path to the Pro Bowl opened up due to injuries to Patrick Mahomes and missed time from Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. Breaking a long drought, Shedeur became the first Browns quarterback since 1995 to win his debut start. In a 24-10 road win against Las Vegas, he showed steady improvement.

Yet, Shedeur’s selection, the result of combined fan, player, and coach voting, sparked backlash. Pro Bowl rosters are determined by a three-way vote split evenly among fans, players, and coaches, with each group counting for 33.3% of the total vote. The players who rack up the highest point totals earn a spot, and for quarterbacks, that means one starter and two reserve positions.

Shedeur breaks the drought, becoming the first Browns quarterback in over a decade to earn a Pro Bowl invite since Derek Anderson in 2008. In the NFL, the former Colorado Buffaloes star also broke a drought for his alma mater.

Shedeur Sanders made Colorado proud in the pro league

Back in Colorado, even though Shedeur became the most sacked player in college football history, he soon rewrote the narrative. With a touchdown pass in 49 consecutive games, Deion’s son owns the longest streak in NCAA Division I, and the second longest in all of college football. 

Shedeur shattered over 100 school records. He finished third in passing yards, fifth in attempts, third in completions, and first in passing touchdowns, and then declared for the NFL Draft. Out of Boulder, he became the first former Colorado quarterback to start an NFL game since Koy Detmer, adding to the list of illustrious achievements in his short career. 

Two decades had passed since Detmer started for the Eagles in 2005. Shedeur’s success brought a new spotlight to the Colorado program at the NFL level. Colorado quarterbacks had all but vanished from NFL starting roles. But his future in Cleveland is uncertain as the Browns search for a new head coach. He could bring in a quarterback of his own. 

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The Browns are stocked with two first-rounders, Nos. 6 and 24, and could eye Ty Simpson of Alabama or Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss with the 24th pick. Will the Pro Bowl shield be enough to secure Shedeur Sanders’ future in Cleveland?