The Cleveland Browns were able to draft Shedeur Sanders after he told the Baltimore Ravens not to think about drafting him. This decision has turned out to be one of many grave mistakes Sanders made during his entire draft process. Former NFL quarterback Alex Smith called him out on live television.
“I think this is insane. … At this point you’re in the fifth round. I understand you had higher hopes, but you’ve dropped to the fifth round and you’re thinking about being a starting quarterback the next year. I think this is incredibly shortsighted. … You want to go to a good organization where you can develop and reach your potential,” Smith said on Sunday NFL Countdown.
Shortly after this was revealed, Sanders made an outlandish comment, taking a shot at quarterbacks around the league — something that absolutely shouldn’t have been said.
“I know if you see the quarterback play in the league right now, I know I’m capable of doing better than that,” Sanders told the media.
The comment drew backlash, including from a Browns beat reporter who didn’t hold back.
“Shedeur can’t help himself, he’s been out of the limelight, he’s hurting,” ESPN’s Tony Grossi said.
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On Monday, former NFL head coach Rex Ryan also weighed in — and he didn’t mince words.
“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 a** in the front row and study and do all that. If I know, the whole league knows. 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,” Ryan said.
Sanders isn’t making things any easier for himself with the comments he continues to make. Ryan absolutely unleashed on him, and at some point, Sanders will have to face the reality of where he truly stands.
Until he’s a starter — or even close — comments like these will continue to be criticized. Sanders has the potential, but right now, he seems more focused on media attention than on becoming a positive presence in front of his coaches.
