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Deion Sanders embraces his son, Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Deion Sanders didn’t hesitate to back his son after a pointed exchange about his standing with the Cleveland Browns.

Shedeur Sanders is coming off a roller-coaster rookie campaign in Cleveland. Once projected as a potential top-five pick, he slid to the fifth round before the Browns selected him at No. 144 overall. Sanders opened the season buried on the depth chart but steadily worked his way into the lineup, starting the final seven games and going 3-4 in that stretch. He threw for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, ultimately earning a Pro Bowl nod as an alternate.

Now entering Year 2, Sanders appears as the frontrunner for the starting job. He took the most reps with the first-team offense on Day 1 of voluntary veteran minicamp — a notable shift from where he stood a year ago.

“I’m thankful that everything happened how it happened,” Sanders said after practice on Tuesday. “I’m thankful that I don’t really have to chase. I’m thankful I got a great family. I’m thankful I get to see great people, that I’m able to be an inspiration to people.”

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders: I Know Who I Am

Sanders was asked about not being viewed as “the man” upon his arrival in Cleveland. His response was direct.

“I feel like I was a man. I don’t let nobody else dictate how I feel about myself. If you allow that, then you living for the wrong reasons. I know who I am as a person, as an individual and just being a child of God,” Sanders said. “So, I can’t let nobody dictate how I could feel about myself. And if I allow that, then I’m not mentally strong. I got to be able to be mentally strong in each and every situation that life throws at you.”

The moment quickly caught the attention of his father, who amplified the message with a fiery show of support.

“Lawd JESUS we just got back started & how u gon tell us who we are?” Deion Sanders wrote on Instagram. “That’s a Sanders you’re talking to baby.”

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Open to Learning

Sanders carries himself with a noticeable edge and charisma at the podium, but he’s equally grounded in the reality of where he stands. As he works through a new system under head coach Todd Monken, Sanders has been quick to acknowledge the learning curve that comes with it.

“I don’t really know everything at all. I’m open to learning every day on just different things. Just in life. I learned how to cut my beard the other day,” Sanders said. “I try to learn something new every day because I’m not one who just thinks my way is the best way. So, I like to just learn different points of view, different perspectives on a lot of things, and just come here with a renewed mindset and just approach life with a renewed mindset.”

That mindset will be critical as Sanders continues his push toward the QB1 role. While he’s generated early momentum, the competition remains very real, with Deshaun Watson also taking reps with the starting offense on Day 1.