Is Shedeur Sanders losing the Browns QB battle? Why Asante Samuel’s criticism comes at a crucial moment | NFL News
Asante Samuel is once again questioning a member of Deion Sanders’ family, but this time his focus is on Shedeur Sanders and his fight for the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback job. Samuel believes Shedeur is improving but says he is not fixing his bad habits quickly enough. His comments come after Deshaun Watson received first-team reps, raising fresh questions about where Shedeur stands in the Browns’ quarterback battle.
Asante Samuel questions Shedeur Sanders in Browns QB battle
Samuel’s comments come as Shedeur and Deshaun Watson compete for the Browns’ starting job. On August 8, Todd Monken had said Shedeur would get most of the first-team work. Instead, Watson took the first-team reps, while Shedeur and Dillon Gabriel worked with the second group.The Browns later said Watson was used with the starters because Monken wanted to see certain personnel groupings. That does not mean the competition is over. Monken has repeatedly said the quarterback job remains open, and he has praised Shedeur’s ability while also pointing to areas where he must improve.That makes Samuel’s criticism a clear judgment, not a confirmed decision from Cleveland. Training-camp clips also show only part of what happens during a full practice period. Still, Watson’s move to the top group has given Samuel’s argument more weight, especially with Cleveland preparing for its preseason meeting with Chicago.
Asante Samuel and Deion Sanders’ feud started with a cornerback debate
Samuel’s latest comments also bring back his old dispute with Shedeur’s father, Deion Sanders. The two former NFL stars clashed publicly in March 2025 after Deion criticized the T-step, a technique used by defensive backs. During NFL Network’s Big 12 Pro Day coverage, Sanders joked, “If one of my players does that, I’m ripping his face mask off.”Samuel pushed back on social media and called the criticism “foolishness.” He then compared his career numbers with Sanders’ as he argued that his own NFL career deserved more respect.The argument grew when Shannon Sharpe discussed it on Nightcap. Sharpe defended Sanders and told Samuel, “You’re not in Prime Time’s realm. Nobody will ever say Asante Samuel and Deion Sanders in the same breath.”The dispute later cooled. In May 2025, Samuel even hosted Deion on Say What Needs To Be Said, where they discussed Shedeur’s draft situation and cleared the air. More than a year later, Samuel is again talking about a Sanders son, this time questioning whether Shedeur is doing enough to earn Cleveland’s trust.
