Shedeur Sanders ‘Excited’ About Browns’ QB Decision
The Cleveland Browns have yet to name Shedeur Sanders their backup quarterback, but the rookie signal-caller is optimistic about the way things are heading in Northeast Ohio.
Sanders spoke with media members on Thursday, October 9, saying he was “excited” about the way things have progressed in the team’s quarterback room.
“I’m in a great mental space overall. So I would say you tend to get a little bit more excited when you see a light at the end of the tunnel, for sure,”
Timeline of Browns’ QB Decisions Indicates Shedeur Sanders’ Shot Could Come Sooner Than Later
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Sanders started his NFL career in disappointing fashion, plummeting from a first-round prospect to a fifth-round draft pick.
He entered the Browns’ offseason as QB4. Eventually,
Head coach Kevin Stefanski demoted Joe Flacco
Then, on Tuesday, the Browns made an out-of-the-blue trade by dealing Flacco and a sixth-round pick to the division rival Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for another fifth-rounder. Stefanski now faces pressure to move Sanders up the depth chart into the QB2 role, as the other option is fourth-year veteran
“You have to think long and hard about that,” Stefanski said Wednesday of who will be QB2 against the
Stephen A. Smith Predicts Shedeur Sanders Will Start for Browns by Week 13 or 14
GettyQuarterback Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns.
Even if Zappe gets the nod as the backup in Week 6, and potentially for a month or two moving forward, Sanders appears all but destined to get into the starting lineup with a handful of games remaining in the season.
“My anticipation is that we’ll see Shedeur Sanders by around Week 13 or 14, because I don’t believe the Cleveland Browns are gonna win many games,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said on “First Take” Wednesday. “And because they’re not gonna win many games, right around that time they’ll be eliminated from playoff contention. And as a result of that, you have nothing to lose by putting Shedeur out there just to find out what he can do and what his value may be.”
Smith added that at that point, Cleveland will have essentially no choice with regards to Sanders starting. Browns fans want to see him, he remains a huge celebrity and topic of conversation week in and week out despite not playing, and Cleveland is probably going to finish the year as among the worst teams in the NFL.
If those are the circumstances, Stefanski and the front office will have to give the people what they want. And Sanders’ chance could come sooner if Gabriel gets hurt.
Most likely, Zappe would come in off the bench to fill in for the remainder of any game in which Gabriel goes down. But if he’s out multiple weeks, the Browns can build a game plan for Sanders and afford him a full week of reps with the first team.
Bo Nix Draws Attention Before Broncos Take On Jets in London
Bo Nix did not mince his words heading into the Denver Broncos’ showdown abroad against the New York Jets
The Broncos are 3-2 heading into the contest. However, they are also coming off a buzzworthy win over the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles, with Nix delivering big-time throws in clutch situations before halftime and to end the game.
Still, the second-year passer is looking past the 0-5 Jets heading into Sunday’s tilt.
Bo Nix Rejects ‘Trap Game’ Narrative Before Broncos-Jets
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos reacts during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nix and the Broncos’ offense have gotten off to a slow start, ranking 18th in scoring, but they are 10th overall. Moreover, they have the backing of the league’s No. 2 scoring and fifth-ranked overall defense.
Conversely, while the Jets rank 19th in scoring offense, they are 20th overall. Their defense ranks 22nd overall, and they are the 31st-ranked scoring group.
Still, Nix is giving them the respect he feels they deserve as an NFL team.
“Well, I think in the league, quite honestly, it’s a little disrespectful to consider anybody a trap team. I think they’re an NFL team, and they’re going to have some really good players on their defense, and it’s not really a trap game. I think any game you can walk in and slip up and lose, that’s just the league,”
“If you’re not careful, in a way, all of them could be. Because they’re that good of an opponent. But they’re a good football team. They’ve been close in some games. They’re a couple walk-off plays away from having two or three wins. So, I definitely think that that is something you got to be careful. This is not a team to just toss around like they’re winless, but I think we’ll be ready to go. It’s just another game.”
Nix has thrown for 1,103 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions on 64.8% completion this season. He has a 568-3-1 line on 65.4% completion over the last two weeks, including passing for 242 yards and 1 TD against the Eagles.
Win Over Eagles Fueled ‘Trap Game’ Narrative
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nix had a historic rookie season, and he led the Broncos to their first playoff berth since the 2015 season.
Their win over the Eagles was a significant step, but beating the winless Jets can be, too.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote on October 9 that, after beating the Eagles, facing the Jets “is the kind of situation that leads to people wondering if they could fall victim to the so-called ‘trap game’ in London on Sunday.
“The Broncos took a step forward by making the playoffs last season and that led to higher expectations coming into this year. That, in turn, leads to being part of more games that you’re expected to win and part of reaching those expectations is remembering that you can’t take any wins for granted in the NFL.”
Nix and the Broncos were 1-6 in one-score games in 2024, and they are 1-2 in such contests this season.
Beating teams like the Jets can provide a safety net in case the ominous trend continues.
Broncos Injury Situation Bad News for Bo Nix
GettyQuinnen Williams #95 of the New York Jets warms up before a game against the Miami Dolphins.
One key situation to monitor around Nix is who the Broncos will replace starting left guard
Whomever the Broncos choose must be prepared to face Jets three-time Pro Bowler and 2022 First-Team All-Pro defensive lineman Quinnen Williams.
He is tied for third on the Jets with 1.0 sacks but leads them with 5 QB hurries.
Williams has been mentioned in trade speculation with the deadline less than one month away (November 4) and the Jets’ season spiraling. If Williams suits up against the Broncos, though, Nix must stay keyed on the standout defender at all times.
