BEREA — Shedeur Sanders is 1-0 as an NFL starter. He’s created a national buzz, including drawing the attention of the president. He’s sure to have the crowd roaring for his first home start Sunday against the 49ers.
While Sanders basked in the moment after the 24-10 win over the Raiders in Las Vegas, the rookie said Wednesday he’s turned the page and is singularly focused on preparing for start No. 2.
Shedeur Sanders will make second straight start this week vs. 49ers
“I’m definitely not comfortable. So that’s first and foremost that I have another opportunity to go out there,” he said. “But in life, you got to understand how quickly things come or how long it comes. It could be taken at any point in time.
“So I’m never comfortable in a situation I’m in. I always want to exceed expectations and I always want to grow. In each and every week I would want to put a better product of myself, be a better version of myself for the team.”
Sanders went 11-for-20 for 209 yards, a touchdown, an interception, a sack and an 87.3 passer rating vs. the Raiders. He has the chance to do something no Browns quarterback has done in the Super Bowl era — win his first two starts. Bernie Kosar came off the bench to win his debut in 1985, won his first start the following week but lost his second start.
“It really doesn’t matter to me, honestly,” Sanders said. “I’m focused on what I could do and what I could control.”
He could make franchise history.
“I always wish the best,” he said. “I do everything I can for this team and for everybody. I got a great defense, got a great team, got a great receiver, so I’m just thankful.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders focusing on “now,” not worried about “difficult” last 6 months. pic.twitter.com/ZRCWNy9pK1
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After the win in Las Vegas, he talked about the difficult journey to get there, which included falling to the fifth round of the draft and spending the offseason No. 4 on the Browns’ quarterback depth chart. He mentioned how good he’d be with a whole offseason as the starter.
“That was jokes,” Sanders said. “A lot of people took that out of context. But you have to understand, the past six, seven months have been hard. So I want to definitely be thankful that I am able to work out with those guys and knowing I do have a great defense and knowing I came this far. I was truly amazed. I was truly happy, of course, in that moment that the work has been paying off. But I’m not comfortable.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders reflects on first start. pic.twitter.com/6QPjKDyEvb
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Sanders smiled through the months as the backup, which included time on the scout team and in the Hungry Dawgs periods used to develop the young players not getting time in games. They were circumstances he wasn’t used to after spending his life as a starter — and the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
“First and foremost, I got God, so through that he’s able to protect me through everything,” Sanders said. “But we in a good moment now. I don’t like looking back at the past and how I was feeling in that moment or however it was, because I’m here now. I don’t ever dwell on the past.”
Plenty of people will do that for him.
His legion of followers has promoted, defended and advocated for him since the Browns traded up to draft him at No. 144. The unwavering and unrelenting support isn’t always constrained by common sense.
While coach Kevin Stefanski has talked repeatedly about the importance of developing Sanders and has met with him individually to watch film during the season, an unproven narrative persisted that Stefanski was sabotaging Sanders.
The latest piece of “evidence” was Stefanski not giving him a game ball Sunday. Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel didn’t get one after his first victory, 31-6 over Miami.
“Every game you go into it trying to just highlight guys,” Stefanski said. “Myles (Garrett) got a game ball, I thought it was probably pretty worthy, but you’re just constantly trying to recognize your guys. We spent time this morning as well pointing out all of our guys and the jobs they did. Point out Gage (Larvadain) having a big punt return, which was huge for our team. Your D-line doesn’t get 10 sacks unless the coverage is really good. Obviously a rookie starting his first game on the road, getting a win is huge. So you acknowledge all that with your team.”
Sanders said he doesn’t have power over his fans.
“That’s not nothing I can control,” he said. “But, overall, I’m just happy to be here. Coach Stefanski, he’s been coaching since I got here and we’ve been doing a very great job with everything that’s going on.
“He tells me what I need to do on and off the field. We’ve definitely grown, our relationship and everything has grown. I’m just thankful to be here.”
He got a huge ovation when he entered the Ravens game in the third quarter Nov. 16. The home fans have a whole week to get ready for his start vs. the 49ers (8-4).
“I feel like it’ll be very fun,” Sanders said. “You got to understand right now I’m in grind mode, mentally, understanding how to attack this defense that we’re going against and they’re a great team.
“I’m thankful for everybody and whoever supports, but I’m focused on getting this team some wins.”
“That dude, man, Shedeur got a crazy fan base,” safety Grant Delpit said. “He got the spark, the stardom and all that, and he’s popping it right now. So I just tell him, keep popping it, man, keep doing what he doing. And we got you on defense, so we’re going to get you that ball back. And keep riding that energy, man, because we need it.”
Veteran left guard Joel Bitonio noted Sanders grew up in the spotlight due to his dad and that people have been curious about him since he was in high school.
“So it’s an experience that people want to be a part of,” Bitonio said. “His personality, he has a little bit of excitement that comes with it. The plays he made to win a football game, find a win on the road, all those things add up and we just want to continue to grow around him, help him as much as we can.”
President Donald Trump is along for the ride.
He posted on social media during Sanders’ draft fall that he should be picked “IMMEDIATELY” and took a victory lap after his first victory.
“Shedeur Sanders was GREAT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Wins first game, career start, as a pro (for Cleveland). Great Genes. I TOLD YOU SO!”
Sanders was appreciative.
“Yeah, he definitely been a supporter for a minute, so I’m just thankful for him for him even taking time out of his day to be able to speak out his support.”
