
Cleveland Browns superstar pass-rusher Myles Garrett showed support for rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders after his rocky debut in a 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
Sanders entered the game at halftime, replacing fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who exited with a concussion. It was a rough debut for Sanders, who Browns fans had been calling for amid Gabriel’s struggles. He completed 4-of-16 passes for 47 yards and an interception. Garrett tried to pick Sanders up after the loss.
“Just telling him to keep his head up,” Garrett said. “He wants to make a play and have that game-changing drive. He feels like he has the ability and we’ve seen it. I told him don’t be discouraged by one or two drives. That’s a good team over there. Just trying to keep his confidence high and keep chasing that standard that he set.”
Garrett said that Sanders spoke to the entire team in the locker room after the game and attempted to take the blame. The powerful pass-rusher, who had four sacks, wasn’t going to let that happen.
“We’ll continue to support him. He spoke after the game and wanted to pin it on himself and his performance,” Garrett said. “But we’re not going to allow him to do that. It’s a team game. We’re in this together.”
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed after Sunday’s game that Gabriel will remain the starter if he’s healthy. However, Stefanski did caution that clearing concussion protocol is a process and there’s no certainty that Gabriel will be ready to roll. If Gabriel cannot go in Week 12 against the Raiders, it will be Sanders getting the starting nod.
At a minimum, Sanders is set to get more reps in practice this week if Gabriel misses any time. Sanders said after the game that not having chemistry with his pass-catchers was tough.
“It’s different when there are different body types out there. The different ways people are getting out of their routes,” Sanders said. “Playing quarterback is extremely hard. I like to know every detail of my receivers. What they’re good at and what they’re not good at. There are so many details that help me play confidently. We are at the bottom right now. But I’m dedicated to being able to get those opportunities with those guys.”
Sanders did promise that the loss won’t drain his legendary confidence.
“Losing isn’t something I’m comfortable with. I just gotta take this one. This really happened on my watch. I don’t like the feeling,” Sanders said. “I still have the same confidence. I’m still me. That’ll never go anywhere.”
Garrett put together another monster performance in the loss to the Ravens. He sacked Lamar Jackson four times, bringing his total to 15 this season. On Sunday, he became the first player to record 12 or more sacks in six consecutive seasons.
But Garrett doesn’t care about the numbers he’s racking up if it doesn’t result in a win.
“I’m going to think about the things I could have done better. I’m not going to pin it on anyone other than myself. First thing I do is look in the mirror,” Garrett said. “Got four hits on Lamar, didn’t get the ball out. … I got to make bigger plays.”
Garrett has said that he’s taking it upon himself to keep the team motivated despite the playoffs already being out of reach. The Browns will get another shot to add a tally to the win column on Sunday as they travel to take on the Las Vegas Raiders.
In a candid and fiery statement, Caleb Williams is making it clear — the Chicago Bears’ offense has too much talent to be held back by missed opportunities. The young quarterback’s words serve as a rallying cry for his teammates, urging them to take advantage of the potential that has been on display all season long.
“It’s frustrating, but we’re not going to let this hold us back,” Williams said after a recent loss. “We’ve got too much talent on this offense to be wasting opportunities. It’s time to step up, execute, and show the world what we’re really capable of.”
The Bears’ offense has been inconsistent this season, with flashes of brilliance followed by moments of missed chances. Despite ranking highly in several key categories, including total yards per game, the team has struggled to convert that potential into consistent victories. Williams, who has quickly become a leader on the field, believes that it’s time to put those flashes of greatness together and perform at the highest level.
“We know we’ve got the pieces in place,” Williams continued. “Whether it’s in the run game with [David Montgomery] or through the air with [Darnell Mooney] and [Cole Kmet], we’ve got the weapons. Now it’s up to us to make it click. We can’t afford to keep leaving plays on the field.”
Williams’ frustration is understandable. As the starting quarterback, he has often found himself trying to rally a talented group of players who have struggled to maintain a rhythm. But his confidence in the team is unwavering. He believes that once the offense starts executing with precision, they can be one of the most dangerous units in the league.
The Bears’ offense has shown flashes of brilliance, especially with Williams at the helm. His deep ball accuracy and poise under pressure have been standout features of his game. However, consistency remains the biggest hurdle. In some games, the offense has moved the ball efficiently, only to stall in the red zone or fail to capitalize on key third downs. These missed opportunities have kept the team from reaching its full potential.
But Williams is determined to turn things around. He recognizes that leadership is not just about executing plays but also motivating the team to perform at their best, no matter the circumstances. “We’ve got to hold each other accountable,” he said. “It’s not just on the quarterback — it’s on all of us to make sure we’re executing at the highest level.”
The Bears’ offensive line has also faced challenges this season, but with the return of key players from injury, the hope is that the group will find more cohesion in the coming weeks. If the offensive line can provide more consistent protection for Williams, the offense could take the next step in becoming one of the NFL’s top units.
With Williams leading the charge, the Bears are ready to silence any doubts about their potential. The quarterback’s confidence and leadership will be critical as the team works to turn their season around. There’s no question about the talent that exists on this offense — now, it’s time for the Bears to prove they can execute when it matters most.
“We’re not waiting anymore,” Williams said. “We’ve got the talent — now it’s time to deliver.”