Shedeur Sanders steps into his first NFL start with the weight of Cleveland on his shoulders. After a full week of first-team reps, Shedeur Sanders looks ready, but the pressure is real.
He’ll be the Browns’ 42nd starting quarterback since 1999, and analysts say everything is at stake for Shedeur Sanders as he tries to prove he belongs in the NFL spotlight.
Ryan Clark Says Shedeur Sanders Faces a Career-Defining Test
Ryan Clark didn’t hold back when breaking down what Shedeur Sanders is walking into. As he put it, “This game against the Raiders is his only chance. If Shedeur Sanders balls and this team wins, he’s named the starter for next week.”
Clark doubled down on the pressure, adding, “I don’t care if Dillon Gabriel is healthy, I don’t care if Dillon Gabriel looks like he can come back. If Shedeur plays well against the Raiders and wins, he should be the starter.”
Clark made it clear that the responsibility sits squarely on Shedeur’s shoulders: “Adversely, if he doesn’t, that’s on him. Nobody is going to come up there and say Kevin Stefanski didn’t prepare.”
He then pointed out the opportunity in front of Shedeur, noting the level of competition: “The Raiders are terrible, an absolutely terrible football team. A team like the Cleveland Browns with that defense.”
But Clark emphasized that the moment goes far beyond beating a struggling team. “Shedeur Sanders has to know that this isn’t a game no more. You got your opportunity that everybody in this gym has been waiting for Shedeur Sanders to play.”
For Clark, the stakes are unmistakable. “So Shedeur Sanders better understand what’s at stake this week. This is not about them beating the Raiders. This is a career defining moment as early as you can possibly have one and he better approach it like that.”
According to Ryan Clark, Shedeur Sanders has to use this opportunity to make a statement, something that will determine his future in football.
Nick Wright Warns Shedeur Sanders About NFL’s Harsh Reality
Nick Wright didn’t sugarcoat the situation facing Shedeur Sanders either. As he explained, “If he’s terrible, this might be the only chance he has in the NFL.”
Wright clarified he wasn’t predicting failure, only outlining how fast things can shift for a young quarterback fighting for relevance. His reminder was blunt: “Nobody in the league was in love with him. I know that because he was the fifth round pick.”
Wright laid out the scenario Shedeur must avoid. “If he’s terrible, and Gabriel, assuming he’s healthy enough to start the week, Gabriel takes job back… I think it’s very on the board that Kevin Stefanski is fired after this year. If that happens, the new regime comes in with multiple first round picks and Dillon Gabriel there… then they’ll cut Shedeur.”
In other words, Shedeur isn’t simply playing for a starting spot. He’s playing for his future in Cleveland and possibly his entire NFL career. Because of that, Wright urged Shedeur Sanders to show he belongs.
Greg Jennings echoed the same message, offering his own veteran advice: “In this profession, if you only get a chance, you better make the best of it… if your name speaks, nothing else matters. You’ll be proven, you’ll have someone else viewing you as a starter in this league.”
Jennings finished with a powerful reminder: “Forget about this Cleveland. Somebody else will feel that, I can work with that.”
For Shedeur Sanders, the moment is now, and there’s no room for second chances in this league.
Also Read: ‘The NFL& the Cleveland Browns Have Nothing To Gain From Sabotaging Shedeur Sanders’: Colin Cowherd