Sportsnaut
Are there any lip readers? Shedeur Sanders refused to answer reporters’ questions about the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback change Wednesday, instead pantomiming his responses without speaking.
The Browns announced they are benching veteran Joe Flacco for rookie Dillon Gabriel, who was also selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Flacco will serve as the backup while Sanders — who was taken two rounds after Gabriel — remains the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart.
When asked about the quarterback change and his role as the third option, Sanders mouthed his answers without making a sound.
Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders only pantomimed answers to questions about the QB change and his role as QB3. pic.twitter.com/YmXjvj6YYc
— 𝚂𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚛 𝙶𝚎𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚗 (@Spencito_) October 1, 2025
NFL reporter Josina Anderson applauded Sanders for his “non-response” response.
“Good for Shedeur. Coming for more things to criticize? Yes? No? Doesn’t matter. Not today,” Anderson posted on X. “Go talk Dillon Gabriel & Joe Flacco.”
Good for Shedeur. Coming for more things to criticize? Yes? No? Doesn’t matter. Not today.
Go talk Dillon Gabriel & Joe Flacco.
🤷♀️ https://t.co/rXlupAXeEh— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 1, 2025
The silent treatment comes after ESPN NFL analyst and former head coach Rex Ryan ripped Sanders earlier this week for saying he could be a starter right now.
“Something’s missing with this kid. This kid talks and he runs his mouth. Like he said, ‘I can be a starting quarterback’ with his arms crossed like this. Get your ass in the front row and study and do all that. If I know, the whole league knows,” Ryan said on ESPN’s “Get Up” earlier this week. “Quit being an embarrassment that way. You’ve got the talent to be the quarterback, you should be. You should be embarrassed that you’re not the quarterback now.”
Rex Ryan on Shedeur Sanders: "This kid talks and he runs his mouth. Like he said, 'I can be a starting quarterback' with his arms crossed like this. Get your ass in the front row and study and do all that. If I know, the whole league knows. Quit being an embarrassment that way.… pic.twitter.com/onAE0caWKu
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 29, 2025
Sanders’ pantomimed responses may have been an attempt to avoid giving critics more ammunition, but the unusual approach could draw additional scrutiny.
Sanders has yet to make his NFL debut.
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