Sanders owns 'big mistake' at QB, credits health return for Colorado's 2026 swagger

Deion Sanders arrived at Big 12 media days this week speaking openly about one of the more difficult seasons of his coaching tenure, acknowledging Colorado's 3-9 finish in 2025 — including a 1-8 mark in Big 12 play — while projecting confidence heading into 2026 ^[6][8].

Sanders partly attributed the Buffaloes' steep regression to his battle with bladder cancer, which limited his presence and effectiveness during the season ^[7]. He is now healthy and back in the building daily, and both he and his players have made clear that the locker room remains motivated — and angry — about how 2025 ended ^[2].

Quarterback decision, EA absence, and a revenge game

Sanders also acknowledged a personnel error at the most important position on the field, saying he made a 'big mistake' at quarterback last year following the departure of his son Shedeur Sanders to the NFL ^[1]. The admission was direct and public, a notable moment of accountability at the podium.

Away from the field, Sanders addressed his absence from EA Sports College Football 27, explaining the reason at media days ^[4][5]. He did not appear in the game, a notable omission given Colorado's high national profile in recent seasons.

Sanders also previewed an unusual preparation approach for Colorado's season opener against Georgia Tech — a rematch the program is treating as a revenge game — by revealing that coaches, not players, will be the ones subject to curfew in the lead-up to the contest ^[3].

The page has been turned to 2026 in Boulder and better days are ahead.

— Deion Sanders, via ESPN College Football [8]

Sanders said he believes he has his 'swagger' back after the health challenges that shadowed the 2025 campaign ^[6]. Colorado, which was in the mix for the Big 12 title game the year prior, enters 2026 looking to reverse a significant downward turn ^[7][8].