Things have been trending upward for Shedeur Sanders, but the Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback isn’t letting his early success pull his attention too far forward.
Sanders is set to make his fourth consecutive start on Sunday when the Browns face the Chicago Bears, fresh off a breakout 364-yard, four-touchdown showing in a narrow 31-29 loss to the Tennessee Titans. In all, he’s passed for 769 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions this season.
Earlier in the week, Cleveland announced that Sanders will remain the starter for the final four games of the season. It is a significant vote of confidence and a chance for him to lock down the job long-term. What happens beyond that remains uncertain, but Sanders isn’t interested in projecting that far ahead.
“That’s a long deep thought,” Sanders said. “That’s not in my focus. My focus right now is the team I’m playing ahead — the Bears. Anything past that, I’m not really focused on, honestly. I’m thankful for it, but I’m not content with my situation, with everything, with leading this team.”
Shedeur Sanders Aware of Uncertainty With Browns
Last week, Sanders went head-to-head with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. By nearly every metric, he outperformed Ward despite the Browns not picking up the win. The two are friends and talked after the game. Sanders — who went No. 144 overall — hinted that their situations are very different, a point he expanded on during his remarks to reporters.
“This is my life here. So we on two different spectrums right now,” Sanders said. “I got to focus on playing my best and being the best player I can for the team. And obviously the situations are different. I know he puts his all into these games and these final four games, but it’s just a little bit different because you don’t know what could happen.
“I just go here, enjoy my day, work hard, do everything I can, and if I’m here, I’m here. If I’m not, I’m not. It’s nothing in my control. So I try to control what I can control, going out there, making the right reads, going out there, doing the right things, being the person I am and things will fall how they’re supposed to.”
Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski Responds to Criticism
The future is also uncertain for Sanders’ head coach, Kevin Stefanski. The Browns are just 3-10 and won just three games last season. His seat is hot, and a botched two-point call that cost Cleveland against the Titans only made it warmer.
Stefanski, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, isn’t too worried about what is being said outside the building.
“I think in my position, everything you do that doesn’t work will be criticized,” Stefanski said. “That’s the nature of this beast. I’ll constantly try to do what’s best for the football team.”
The Browns head out on the road this week to see the Chicago Bears. Cleveland wraps up the season with the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Makes Admission on Future