Troy Aikman, Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, has shared his views on Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders and the team’s approach to developing him. Speaking with Michael Irvin on a recent podcast appearance, Aikman offered praise for Sanders but also recognized the challenges facing the young quarterback as he begins his professional career.
“I do think he’s (Shedeur) a franchise quarterback. I love his game. I’ve obviously been watching him for a number of years,” Aikman said last December in comments to TMZ Sports. His continued interest in Sanders’ progress has persisted into the preseason as Sanders adjusts to life with the Browns following a fifth-round draft selection.
Aikman noted that Sanders, unlike other rookie quarterbacks, has not had the opportunity to work away from public scrutiny: “I think the only unfortunate thing from my perspective, but I don’t think that Shedeur would feel this way (… ) I don’t think Deion (Sanders) would Deion would feel this way that that he he really hasn’t been allowed to just go do his thing, you know, without like sometimes there’s comfort in in anonymity and just being able to go work on your craft and and put in the time and and then emerge, you know, victorious.” He continued, “You know, everything he does, uh, you know, he is a Sanders, so that’s part of it. You know, everything he does certainly is scrutinized. He’s accustomed to that….I think he’s going to have a great story and, uh, I’ve been following him, you know, really since he began at Jackson State.”
Sanders enters the season behind veteran quarterback Joe Flacco on the Browns’ depth chart after competing for playing time during offseason practices and training camp. Despite limited opportunities with first-team players and the high expectations associated with his last name—being the son of Deion Sanders—Shedeur has maintained focus through public attention dating back to his college years at Jackson State.
Reflecting on Sanders’ transition into the NFL amid strong competition at quarterback positions across teams—including peers such as Cam Ward and Jayden Daniels—Aikman acknowledged: “Uh…, went and watched his first game and, you know, I expect that when his story is told, which is way down the road, it’s going to be really good. So, I’m pulling for him.”
Regarding Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski’s decision to start Flacco over Sanders for Week 1 of the regular season—a choice some fans questioned after Stefanski promoted an open quarterback competition—Aikman supported Stefanski’s approach: “Yeah. Uh interesting,” Aikman responded. “I personally, I mean, I think a lot of Kevin Stefanski. So if I’m Shedeur or I’m Deion (Sanders), uh,I like that he’s there. I think he gets a chance to really get coached up well and playing behind a veteran like Flacco. He gets to watch and learn,you know how to be a pro; that,you know,it’s something that I didn’t necessarily get.So I think that’s really positive for him.”
Aikman’s comments also drew comparison with his own NFL entry when he started as rookie quarterback for Dallas without an experienced player ahead of him—a situation different than what Sanders faces now under Stefanski’s supervision.
As Cleveland prepares for its upcoming season opener with Flacco named as starting quarterback,Sanders will continue his development observing from behind—a process Aikman suggests may prove valuable in shaping both character and career trajectory.
