San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has revealed his admiration for Deion Sanders ahead of facing the NFL Hall of Famer's son, Shedeur, and the Browns
12:28 ET, 27 Nov 2025Updated 12:28 ET, 27 Nov 2025
Kyle Shanahan has opened up on facing Shedeur Sanders
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Kyle Shanahan has opened up on facing Shedeur Sanders(Image: AP)
Kyle Shanahan has revealed the "weird" feeling he is getting ahead of his San Francisco 49ers' clash with the Shedeur Sanders-led Cleveland Browns this weekend due to his admiration for the quarterback's legendary father.
Sanders, 23, won on his career-first NFL start last weekend against the Las Vegas Raiders following a turbulent start to life as a pro. The former Colorado quarterback was selected 144th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, suffering a spectacular slide out of the first round, where he was widely expected to be a top-five pick.
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The Browns eventually took Sanders off the board, but two rounds later than they drafted Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Sanders joined the Browns and was immediately placed third in the order behind fellow rookie Gabriel and veteran Joe Flacco.
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However, after Flacco, 40, was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, Gabriel was named the starter, with Deshaun Watson still injured. Gabriel went 1-4 and threw seven touchdowns for 937 yards before picking up a knock that ruled him out of last week's Raiders clash.
Sanders was then thrust into the spotlight, but the confident son of NFL legend Deion Sanders shone. The QB first practiced with the Browns' offense last week before helping lead the team to victory over the Raiders, throwing for over 200 yards and one touchdown.
Sanders has always had a lot of pressure due to his father's Greatness. The Sanders name creates significant buzz wherever it is echoed, and this time it has extended to the 49ers franchise, with head coach Shanahan revealing how "weird" it will be to face Deion's son this weekend.
Shedeur Sanders won with the Browns on his first career NFL start
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Shedeur Sanders won with the Browns on his first career NFL start(Image: Getty)
Shanahan revealed that Deion was his hero, with the ex-cornerback regarded as one of the NFL's best-ever players. "It is weird [facing Deion Sanders' son] just because he was my hero growing up," Shanahan said ahead of this weekend's trip to Cleveland.
Sanders is keen not to get complacent following his winning start to life as the Browns' starter. He says he won't get too "comfortable" with Gabriel nearing a return to fitness.
"I'm definitely not comfortable, though, so that's first and foremost that I have another opportunity to go out there," Sanders said Wednesday.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks to pass in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
"But in life, you got to understand how quickly things come or how long it comes, it could be taken at any point in time.
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"So I'm never comfortable in a situation I'm in. I always want to exceed expectations, and I always want to grow in each and every week, I would want to put a better product of myself, be a better version of myself for the team to be out there."
"Day by day, minute by minute, meeting by meeting, of course," Sanders added. "I'm getting a little bit more comfortable and comfortable in being in that role, being in that position. They're getting more comfortable with me, also. So I'm excited, I'm happy for it, and I'm just thankful."