The internet reacts to Shedeur Sanders first NFL start

Jason Jones

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The internet reacts to Shedeur Sanders first NFL start image

Shedeur Sanders has an opportunity to do something that has not only not happened in 30 years but can completely change his future trajectory. The NFL Draft was a rouse and anyone who has covered the draft over a period of years would confirm that. What followed throughout offseason camps and the preseason was not that. An argument could be made that it was mishandled. A four person quarterback competition is unheard of, especially when two of the four are rookies.

Early in the summer camps, there was a strong contingent of fans that believed the draft was the manifestation of disrespect. Many uttering the idiom, “the apology needs to be as loud as the disrespect”. While that is a nice sounding phrase, its not real. Never met a single person who was wronged and the apology was as loud as the disrespect. However, that was the sentiment for months.

Whether it was lack of movement on an offseason depth chart (side note, Stefanski does not update depth charts until required by the league), a lack of reps with the starting unit, or a perception that the deck was stacked against Sanders, there has been a constant sense that Shedeur may never get a chance to compete.

The Brown organization is extremely tight lipped. Nothing gets out before they want it to get out.  They are almost Belichickian in that regard. Stefanski does not tip his hand and Andrew Berry is famous for giving non-answers. Yet fans spent months trying to read between the lines or take those comments at face value. Something any long time Browns fan would’ve cautioned against.

Shedeur finds himself in an ideal situation. He got to sit in meetings and watch a possible fringe Hall of Famer operate (Flacco) as well as a less accomplished Kenny Pickett. He also watched Dillon Gabriel struggle to push the ball downfield. He enters week 12 as the starter. There are no lack of first team reps or not given a fair shot narratives as he has been the starter since the week began. For anyone who picked up on the “Any Given Sunday” parallels, that is playing out to the letter.

Unlike the movie though, Shedeur does not have to be Willie Beamen in start No. 1. He just has to look like a starting NFL quarterback. The biggest misconception about the Browns quarterback situation is that they need the next Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes. They don’t. They need Sheder to be what Shedeur has been in order for this journey to become something else completely. With a running game and an elite defense, Shedeur just needs to look the part and be effective. It doesn’t have to be Colorado at TCU in 2023.

Fans of all walks of life are increasingly excited for Shedeur’s first opportunity to start. Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees has created a gameplan specific to Shedeur and veterans on the team have given every indication he has their support. Below you’ll find just some of the internet chatter surrounding Shedeur’s first start.

Editorial Team