Shedeur Sanders has earned praise from NFL legends for refusing to get drawn into repeated questions about the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition.
The Browns quarterback has faced the same questions throughout the offseason, but his decision to simply move on from one of them has now been backed by Shannon Sharpe, Chad Johnson and Joe Johnson.
Sanders previously snapped at reporters with, ‘Next question. I answered this question 1,000 times.’ He later apologised, while explaining that he was trying to avoid saying something that could be taken out of context.
Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty ImagesShedeur Sanders praised for handling Cleveland media pressureSpeaking on the Nightcap podcast, Joe Johnson suggested the Browns media were constantly trying to create a viral moment around Sanders.
‘I think this kid, Unc and Ocho, always says the right things. Always,’ Joe said. ‘And it’s like they always try to get him to viral by asking him rhetorical questions, but he never takes the bait.’
Johnson then went a step further, claiming Sanders is the main reason the Browns remain relevant outside Cleveland.
‘We keep it 100, he’s the only damn reason the Browns [are] relevant right now… I watch the Browns to see Shedeur.’
Sharpe agreed with that assessment, arguing that Sanders’ name has kept the Browns in the conversation throughout the offseason.
‘Every else watch them for that reason, too, outside of Cleveland,’ Sharpe said. ‘Now, Cleveland watch them because they’re the Browns, but everybody outside of Cleveland watch them because of Shedeur.’
Chad Johnson also praised the 24-year-old for recognising what reporters were trying to do.
‘It’s the media, especially in Cleveland, they’re looking for the next click. That’s it,’ Johnson said.
He added that Sanders is ‘very media savvy’ and suggested his decision to stop answering was partly about protecting himself from having his words twisted.
Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty ImagesSanders explained his thinking himself after apologising to reporters.
‘I feel drained when I express myself to people and places and cameras when it’s not received and taken the right way, or like we’re trying to divide the team or anything like that,’ he said.
Now his focus is shifting back to the quarterback competition with Deshaun Watson. Sanders showed flashes during the preseason but finished his latest outing 6-of-11 for 79 yards with one interception and three rushing yards.
The Browns still have a major decision to make at quarterback. For Sanders, avoiding the noise may be just as important as winning the job.
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