Deion Sanders Sparks Debate In Browns Coaching Search

The Cleveland Browns’ head coaching search has taken a dramatic, headline-grabbing turn as Deion Sanders’ name surges to the forefront of speculation. With the franchise moving on from Kevin Stefanski after six seasons, the Browns’ pursuit of a new leader has been anything but straightforward. As of January 27, 2026, the discussion reached a fever pitch on ESPN’s “First Take,” where Stephen A. Smith’s candid remarks threw gasoline on the fire of rumors linking Sanders to the Cleveland job.

Let’s set the stage. The Browns, having been turned down by Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and former Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, are now reportedly focusing on three primary candidates: Todd Monken, former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator; Nate Scheelhaase, Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator; and Jim Schwartz, the Browns’ current defensive coordinator. Yet, amid these established names, it’s the Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, known as “Prime Time,” who’s become the most polarizing and talked-about potential hire.

Sanders’ coaching resume is as colorful as his playing career. He led Jackson State to a gaudy 27-6 record, nabbing consecutive SWAC titles and capping off 2022 with a 12-1 mark. His subsequent move to Colorado produced a 9-4 winning season in 2025, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing: Sanders’ tenure there also included two losing seasons, with records of 4-8 and 3-9. These ups and downs have become central to the current debate swirling around his candidacy for the Browns job.

On “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith didn’t mince words. “Deion Sanders is my brother, we go back a long way. This is the most accurate and fair way to put it. I hope this happens for him. His resume doesn’t warrant it. That is the reality,” Smith stated, according to ESPN. He continued, “I have no doubt that if he were an NFL coach, I believe he would do a good job. But the question is whether or not you deserve it, and it can’t always be about you coaching your son.”

That last point is crucial. If Deion Sanders were to take the Browns’ reins, the quarterback situation would become a family affair. Shedeur Sanders, Deion’s son, is Cleveland’s young signal-caller. After being drafted and starting just seven games in his rookie campaign, Shedeur completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, tossing seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions. His 68.1 passer rating ranked as the second-worst in the NFL and was the lowest among starting quarterbacks. Despite those struggles, he earned a Pro Bowl Games nod, in part due to flashes of promise and the media buzz surrounding his presence.

As fans and pundits alike speculate about a possible Sanders-Sanders pairing in Cleveland, Smith warned of the extra scrutiny that would follow. “Here’s the other part that we’d be remiss in neglecting to bring up. If you were to get the Cleveland Browns job, is that why Shedeur Sanders had such a hard time getting the opportunity? Because coaches and people within the organization were sensing that you were the heir apparent,” Smith said. “They’re gonna accuse him of lurking all along, which is just gonna add more pressure to Shedeur Sanders.”

It’s a fair concern. In the NFL, perception can be as powerful as reality. If Deion Sanders were to become the Browns’ head coach, every decision regarding Shedeur would be placed under a microscope. Is Shedeur the starter because he’s the best option, or because his father is calling the shots? That’s the kind of question that could dominate Cleveland’s sports talk airwaves all season.

The fanbase, for its part, is split but increasingly vocal. Some Browns supporters have taken to social media, declaring, “Write it down. Deion Sanders next coach of the Cleveland Browns.” Others have argued, “Maybe the Browns should just hire Deion now. He would love to work with Shedeur and he might actually want the job.” A more skeptical fan weighed in, “I said jokingly a while ago that we should give Deion a blank check. Now if we don’t land Scheelhaase I genuinely believe that would be as good of an option as Schwartz or Monken. Maybe even a better option. This coaching search has been a complete joke.”

But is Sanders truly a viable option? The Browns’ coaching search has already seen its share of twists and rejections. With Monken, Scheelhaase, and Schwartz all in the mix, Sanders remains at best an outside candidate—at least officially. Yet, the allure is undeniable. Hiring Deion would bring instant national attention, a spike in ticket and merchandise sales, and a jolt of energy to a franchise that’s often struggled for relevance. As noted by multiple outlets, Sanders would be “the most high-profile hire of this NFL coaching cycle.”

Still, the drawbacks are real. There’s internal skepticism within the Browns organization about Sanders’ lack of NFL coaching experience and whether his coaching style and schemes would translate from the college game to the pros. There are also legitimate questions about the fit—both in terms of football philosophy and locker room dynamics. And, of course, there’s the media circus that would inevitably follow, with every play call and personnel decision dissected for signs of favoritism or family drama.

For Shedeur Sanders, the stakes are equally high. He’s already under the spotlight as a rookie quarterback with a famous last name. His own assessment of his rookie year was measured: “I think I did what I was able to do, and I definitely grew from a lot of things, and I got experience now,” Shedeur said. “So, I’m always the same, confidence-wise, I’m there. But like, that’s not in my hands. Like, that’s not my decision. I can’t speak on what other people feel.” If his father were to arrive as head coach, Shedeur’s development would become a national talking point, and every mistake or success would be viewed through the lens of their relationship.

As the Browns’ search continues, the franchise faces a pivotal crossroads. Do they play it safe with a proven NFL coordinator like Monken or Schwartz? Or do they take a leap into the unknown with Sanders, betting on his charisma, recruiting prowess, and ability to galvanize a locker room? For now, there’s “zero indication” that Deion Sanders will actually be interviewed, let alone hired. But in Cleveland, where football dreams are as persistent as Lake Erie winds, the mere possibility of a Sanders family reunion has already electrified the city.

With the head coaching search still wide open and no interviews confirmed for Sanders, all eyes remain on the Browns’ front office. Will they make the boldest move of the NFL offseason, or stick with the familiar? Only time will tell, but one thing’s certain—the conversation isn’t dying down any time soon.