Shedeur Sanders’ NFL career hasn’t gotten off to the start that many imagined from the young college superstar.
Sliding to the fifth round of April’s draft, Sanders fell to the Cleveland Browns, who saw value in drafting him despite selecting Dillon Gabriel just two rounds earlier and trading for former first-rounder Kenny Pickett in March.
Read more: Did Dillon Gabriel Do Better Than Shedeur Sanders in Browns Debut?
That’s led to a bottleneck of backup quarterbacks in Cleveland. Joe Flacco was named the Browns’ starting quarterback this week, but head coach Kevin Stefanski did not tip his cap to any of the backups entering the final game of the preseason.
There’s no clear path to playing time for Sanders, who was largely considered a first- or second-round talent coming out of the draft.
But like his outspoken father, Deion Sanders, Shedeur gave an honest assessment of how he’s approaching the upcoming season.
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“I would say I learned life in a different perspective, you know, and that’s why I come here. I’m happy. I always got good energy ’cause I’m blessed to come out here every day,” Shedeur said, per The Chronicle Telegram and Medina Gazette’s Scott Petrak.
While starting his first NFL season on the bench wasn’t what he likely planned for, Shedeur said that he’s viewing the situation as an opportunity to develop more.
More NFL: Browns’ Dillon Gabriel Sends Clear Message on Shedeur Sanders Diss
“Regardless of the situation, regardless of anything, you know, I know my time, whenever that is, I’ll be ready for it, and I’m going to embrace that,” he added. But in due time, you know, I got many things I need to fix, many things I need to work on, and I’m not oblivious to that. So all I look at is I’m getting more time to cook.
“I’m getting more time to warm up, you know, that’s all it is.”
Shedeur impressed in his preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers, completing 14 of 23 pass attempts for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
He missed the second preseason game with an oblique injury but is expected to play on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams. The game could be the last time NFL fans see Shedeur on the field for the next several months if he stays in Cleveland.
However, given the abundance of quarterbacks in Cleveland, Shedeur has been considered a trade candidate and could use the final preseason game to showcase his abilities for a potential trade suitor.
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