Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns’ newly named starting quarterback, is preparing for the biggest game of his NFL career. The fifth-round draft pick will make his first NFL start against the Las Vegas Raiders, replacing Dillon Gabriel, who suffered a concussion. Sanders’ opportunity comes after a challenging start to his NFL journey, marked by limited in-game action due to a shoulder injury and a rough performance in his first appearance.
In a recent interview, Sanders expressed his enthusiasm for the moment, telling reporters, ‘It’s going to be exciting. I know a lot of y’all are going to be there. You can’t miss it.’ He emphasized the team’s focus on being mentally prepared and minimizing distractions, setting the tone for the game ahead.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has been actively working with Sanders to ensure he feels comfortable in his new role. Stefanski, who has been around Sanders for months, noted that the quarterback’s strengths align well with the team’s strategies. ‘You want to make sure all the concepts are things he feels confident in,’ Stefanski said. ‘Having been around him over the months, you get a good sense of what fits his eyes, so to speak.’
Sanders, who was widely considered a top-five overall pick before falling to the fifth round, is eager to prove himself in a high-pressure situation. Despite a shaky start in his first in-game action, he remains focused on learning and improving. ‘I’m my own biggest critic,’ Sanders said. ‘Will there be mistakes? Of course. But there won’t be as many. You just try to minimize them as much as possible.’
Stefanski highlighted the importance of mental preparation and learning through film sessions with other quarterbacks. ‘It’s obvious that the more time and the more reps, period, are always better,’ Stefanski said. ‘I do think, as quarterbacks, they sit in that room, watch a lot of tape together. So, you watch the receivers, and sometimes you don’t get the rep, but you see how those guys come out.’
Sanders has gained valuable insight from his interactions with the coaching staff and his fellow quarterbacks. He believes that his best learning occurs when he is on the field, explaining that he needs to ‘feel it, move around’ to perform at his best. ‘I’m more of a feel type of person,’ Sanders said. ‘That’s how I learn. That’s how I do everything.’
As the Browns look to secure a win against the Raiders, Sanders hopes to demonstrate his readiness to lead the team. He is confident in his ability to handle the pressure and meet the high expectations of the fan base. ‘I know our fans have a lot of expectations and hope,’ Sanders said. ‘And I’d be doing a disservice to myself and the organization if I didn’t feel like I am the guy.’
With the team in need of a strong leader, Sanders sees this opportunity as a chance to become the future of the franchise. ‘I know I’m the guy,’ he said. ‘But, you know, you’ll just have to see. The game’s got to speak.’