Total Pro Sports
Shedeur Sanders didn’t wait long to make his point clear. The rookie quarterback got a lot of attention in his preseason debut for the Cleveland Browns, then turned to one of his most vocal critics. After helping the Browns take down the Carolina Panthers on Friday night, Sanders walked straight into a conversation that wasn’t about football schemes or play calls.
“You always say negative stuff about me,” Sanders told Browns analyst Tony Grossi. “I didn’t do nothing to you. I’ve never seen you say anything positive about me.”
The moment was quite calm and simple. A few seconds later, both men laughed and moved on. But it was clear Sanders wanted his words heard.
On the field, Sanders gave Browns fans plenty to talk about. The fifth-round pick from Colorado completed 13 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He also executed a quarterback sneak on a crucial third-and-1. Browns head coach, Kevin Stefanski, called those game situations “invaluable” for the rookie.
“We got a third-and-1 where he had a quarterback sneak,” Stefanski mentioned, according to Scott Procter’s post. “That’s by design with him getting a ton of reps in this game, and he’ll get a ton of reps next week as well. That’s all part of our development of our young players.”
Sanders had spent much of camp working away from the first-team offense, so his sharp play caught attention. His performance also forced a conversation about the team’s depth chart. Even Grossi, whom Sanders confronted, acknowledged it.
“My bottom line on Shedeur Sanders’ impressive debut: He put the pressure on QB2 Kenny Pickett and QB3 Dillon Gabriel to get healthy and perform next week,” Grossi wrote.
For Sanders, it was the perfect mix of action and message. He showed he can move the ball, finish drives, and handle game pressure. And also reminded that he keeps a follow-up on the media regularly.
Next up for the Browns is a preseason matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Stefanski has already hinted that Sanders will get plenty more snaps. If he plays anything like he did against Carolina, those snaps might come with even more eyes, and maybe fewer doubts.
Also Read: Cleveland Browns Name Shedeur Sanders Starting Quarterback
