Deion Sanders responds as Maxx Crosby breaks silence on heated exchange with Shedeur

Nov 28, 2025 - 16:15

Shedeur Sanders is officially QB1 for the Cleveland Browns.

After an impressive display against the Las Vegas Raiders in his first NFL start, Sanders got the nod for the starting role by Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski for their Week 13 contest against the San Francisco 49ers.

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders — Sanders as earned the QB1 role for the Browns after his first start

But the youngster, who made Browns history by being the first rookie quarterback to win their first start in 30 years, had to battle hard against one of the NFL’s best pass rushers in $160 million Maxx Crosby.

The All-Pro defensive end had a career-high five tackles for loss against the Browns, though it was in vain as the Raiders were unable to snap their losing skid with them now having lost their past five outings.

Although he got to the quarterback on three occasions, Crosby showed love to the unsatisfied Sanders, who threw 11-for-20 for 209 yards, a touchdown and an interception, after the game as the two showed mutual respect toward each other.

In midfield, the two embraced as the Raiders superstar could be heard saying, “Ay, love you. Keep doing your thing.”

View Tweet: https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raiders?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

After the quick embrace, Sanders laughed as he asked, “Why you was trying to hit the s*** out of me though?”

Crosby didn’t hesitate as he responded, “I was. That’s all the f*** I do.”

Following the wholesome interaction, the 23-year-old’s father NFL icon Deion Sanders, who cried real tears when he learned of his son getting into the game, weighed in on social media.

“I love this dude,” he posted to his Instagram story with an image of the two of them, whilst he also tagged Crosby’s handle.

Shedeur also revealed postgame that the Browns coaching staff had planned specifically on how to handle Crosby’s relentless pursuit of the quarterback.

“We definitely game planned for him. He’s a great player. He let his presence be known,” Sanders said. “We know they got a dog on the D-line in Maxx Crosby. But I fear no man. The only thing I fear is God.”

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders talks with his son Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2), left, as the Colorado Buffaloes play the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado on August 29, 2024. — Deion Sanders loved what he saw between Shedeur and Crosby

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns and Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders interact after the game at Allegiant Stadium — Sanders and Crosby have a huge amount of respect for each other

Sanders and Crosby’s relationship goes way back

It’s been quite the journey into the NFL for Sanders.

Initially touted to be a first-round pick out of Colorado, the Buffaloes star had to wait until Day 3 of the 2025 NFL draft to hear his name called out, eventually being taken with the 144th overall selection in the fifth round.

At one point being the fourth-string quarterback, behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel, he eventually made his way up to the backup role following Pickett being cut and Flacco being benched – and subsequently traded.

After Gabriel suffered a concussion in the first half of their 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Sanders was thrown in at the deep end, with his game reps being his first ever reps with the first team offense.

With a week’s worth of practice behind him, he looked far more comfortable on the field, and pulled off some impressive highlight plays, including a 50-yard deep bomb to Isaiah Bonds after having scrambled to near the sideline.

After the dust had settled on yet another Raiders loss, Crosby took to his The Rush With Maxx Crosby podcast on Wednesday where he discussed how his relationship with Sanders runs deep.

Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders rushes the passer during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns — Crosby got to Sanders three times, but was unable to help the Raiders get the W

“On the field, he was kind of quiet, but he’s still him. He was poised for a young guy — that’s something I wasn’t surprised about,” Crosby said. “He’s used to being in big moments.”

“He’s like a little brother to me. I respect the hell out of him. I’m happy for him. I want to see him win and do well, and I think he will.”

He shed even more detail on this when he made an appearance on the Let’s Go podcast.

“Shedeur, I gotta give him, you know, credit,” Crosby said. “He’s like a little brother to me. I was trying to rip his head off, and I did a couple of times, but I’m happy for him. I got a ton of respect.”

“People saw like me and him pushing each other back and forth. And then they’re like, ‘Yeah, screw you, Crosby.’ People don’t even realize we’re literally messing with each other. That’s my guy. I love him.

“During the whole draft process, we were on FaceTime all the time. When he was a little chubby kid, and nobody really thought he was gonna be the one, he ended up being that kid, and I’m proud of him, man.

“Obviously takes a lot of heat because he’s got that name. It’s got a lot of weight.”

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