Shedeur Sanders got a visit from a familiar face as he sulked on the Cleveland Browns sideline following a 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
Sanders entered the game at the half, replacing Dillon Gabriel, who was sidelined with a concussion. His NFL debut didn’t go as planned. Sanders completed just 4-of-16 passes for 47 yards with an interception. He almost had a heroic moment at the end of the game but his touchdown pass to Gage Larvadin was dropped.
Sanders was upset after the loss but his former Colorado teammate LaJohntay Wester came over to comfort him. Wester is a wide receiver and return man for the Ravens.
Sanders and Wester are close from their time together with the Buffaloes. Wester has had nothing but good things to say about his former quarterback.
“I just want everyone to know he’s one of the hardest-working people that I know. Funny guy. Great leader,” Wester said in August. “He’s the type of player that could change an organization, on and off the field. He does a lot of charity stuff in the community and he works hard. He brings everybody together.”
After the game, Sanders did not hide from the fact that he did not perform well against the Ravens.
“I don’t think I played good. I don’t think I played good at all,” Sanders said.
It was not an ideal situation for Sanders to be thrust into and one that the Browns were hoping to avoid. Sanders had received no reps with the first-team offense, which was very apparent on Sunday.
“It’s different when there’s different body types going out there, different way how people get out of routes,” Sanders said. “I like knowing every detail about my receivers. I like knowing the small things, what they’re good at, what they’re not good at. It’s like so many details that helps me play confident with those guys.”
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski fielded multiple questions about Sanders’ lack of reps with the starting offense. He laid out that it’s been difficult trying to prepare two rookies to play every week.
“You’re always trying to get your starter ready to play and certainly, when your starter is a rookie. Those are very valuable reps,” Stefanski said. “When your starter, when your backup is a rookie also, you do everything in your power to get our quarterbacks as many reps as possible. Post practice, after practice, extra meeting time. So that’s just part of how it goes. But the bottom line is we trust both of our players. We trust all of our players because of the work that they put in.”
Stefanski said Gabriel will be the starter if he’s healthy. But Gabriel will have to clear concussion protocol to get on the field, which probably won’t happen quickly. That opens the door for Sanders to draw his first start next Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders with a full week of prep under his belt.
As the Las Vegas Raiders continue to fight for relevance in a competitive AFC, Tom Brady
, one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history, has shared his perspective on the team’s current situation. Brady, who has seen it all during his illustrious career, offered a clear message: while the Raiders may not be there yet, they have the talent and pieces to succeed in the future.
Brady’s words come at a crucial time for the Raiders, who have struggled to meet expectations this season. With a roster full of talent, including star players like
Brady, who built his career on consistency, understands the value of time. His words remind us that greatness isn’t achieved instantly. It requires patience, learning from mistakes, and developing a system that works. For the Raiders, it’s about unlocking that final piece of the puzzle: finding the rhythm that allows them to perform at a high level week after week.
The key to success, according to Brady, lies in leadership and consistency. These are two qualities that can make or break a team, especially in high-pressure situations. Leadership is crucial not only for guiding the team on the field but also for inspiring confidence in the locker room. The Raiders will need leaders who can step up in pivotal moments, keep the team united, and push them toward their collective goals.
Consistency is another area where the Raiders have room to grow. Despite flashes of brilliance, the team has often been inconsistent in their performances. This lack of consistency has been a major roadblock in their quest to return to playoff contention. As Brady wisely noted,
Despite the setbacks, Brady remains confident in the Raiders’ future. His belief in their ability to succeed is rooted in the talent they already have and the leadership they can develop. The team’s journey won’t be easy, but with the right mindset and work ethic, they have what it takes to turn things around.
The Raiders must use this season as a learning experience. The pieces are there — now, it’s about building the right culture, developing consistent performance, and having the leadership to guide them to victory. If they can do that, success won’t be far behind.
In the words of Brady, “They’ve got the pieces, they just need to find the rhythm.” The Raiders’ future depends on how they respond to the challenges ahead, but with the tools they have, a bright future is within their reach.