‘Who Will Deion (Sanders) Blame This Year?’ — Super Bowl Champion Calls Coach Prime’s Extension a ‘Major Mistake’ by Colorado
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The pressure continues to mount on Deion Sanders as Colorado’s struggles increase this season. Despite handing Coach Prime a lucrative contract extension, the Buffaloes have now lost three straight games, prompting a strong reaction from Super Bowl champion Brandon Stokley.
Brandon Stokley Makes Brutal Prediction for Deion Sanders and Colorado
Sanders signed a five-year, $54 million contract extension with Colorado in March 2025, keeping him under contract through the 2029 season. Under the deal, he is scheduled to earn $10 million in 2026, followed by $11 million each in 2027 and 2028.
However, the decision to extend Sanders has come under increased scrutiny following Colorado’s struggles. The Buffaloes finished 3-9 last season and have opened this season with a 2-3 record.
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During a segment on “Denver Sports 104.3,” football analyst Joel Klatt was asked whether Colorado made a mistake by committing to Sanders with such a lucrative extension so early.
“I think every school errs in their negotiation with their head coaches because the ADs panic, because the AD’s job is also tied to the success of that coach, in particular if they hired that coach,” Klatt said. “I do think that the contract, extensions, and raises are given far too early. They are given far too much guaranteed money in general, and I think this contract falls into that.”
Stokley also agreed with Klatt’s take and shared his own reaction.
“Looks like it was a major mistake. FACTS. What’s the record going to be this year? I say 4 wins at the most. Who will Deion blame this year?” Stokley posted on X.
Sanders’ most successful season at Colorado came in 2024, when the Buffaloes went 9-4 with Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter leading the program. Colorado is now two seasons removed from losing both stars to the NFL, but the program has struggled to establish a clear direction since their departure.
The Buffaloes attempted to address the quarterback position by landing five-star prospect Julian Lewis. However, Lewis has yet to live up to those expectations and currently sits at No. 115 among quarterbacks in PFN’s CFB QB Impact Metric, carrying a 71.0 grade.
The concerns extend beyond the quarterback position, as Colorado has struggled in several areas, with turnovers becoming a particularly damaging issue. In last week’s loss to Texas Tech, 19 of the Red Raiders’ 29 points came directly from Colorado turnovers.
Perhaps the biggest concern for the Buffaloes is now the lack of obvious evidence that the program is close to reversing its current situation.
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Through four seasons in Boulder, Sanders has compiled an 18-24 record, and his contract also includes a substantial buyout if he leaves Colorado for another coaching position before the deal expires. That figure is set at $10 million in 2026, $6 million in 2027, $4 million in 2028, and $3 million in 2029.
However, Sanders can retire from coaching without owing Colorado damages if he does not subsequently return to coaching at another school.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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