Rex Ryan sparked a wave of debate across the NFL after telling rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders to “not be all about himself” following his first NFL win. The comment landed right after Sanders delivered a confident debut performance that turned heads and pushed him straight into the national spotlight.
Many fans praised his poise. Others questioned his swagger. And now Ryan’s warning has added fuel to a conversation already circling Shedeur Sanders. A conversation about leadership, maturity, and how a young quarterback handles early success.
This moment has become a defining talking point in Shedeur Sanders’ first days in the league, raising questions about how he’ll navigate expectations and criticism as his rookie season begins.
Ryan’s Advice to Shedeur Sanders And It’s Meaning for a Rookie QB
Rex Ryan’s advice was direct, built around leadership and how a young quarterback should communicate after games. Ryan began with a clear plea: “Shedeur can I please. I know you don’t listen but please, everytime you win a game, okay, your team wins a game, please, use WE and US.”
He followed it with the contrast he believes defines true leadership: “And anytime you lose, it’s me, and I.”
This is a common standard many coaches enforce, celebrate as a team, take responsibility as an individual. Ryan’s criticism wasn’t about Shedeur Sanders’ performance on the field, but how he presents himself off it.
To drive the point home, Ryan highlighted how comments after games can impact the entire locker room. He pointed to the defensive dominance in Sanders’ debut: “Watch your popularity in your locker room and around the country will go like this ⬆️… right now they’re looking like, Shedeur… your defense, first thing you should have said is, we had 10 sacks on the quarterback. Are you kidding me, Myles Garrett, the man?”
For Ryan, credit matters. Not giving enough of it, especially when teammates deliver game-changing performances, can shape how a rookie is viewed internally. Quarterbacks aren’t just judged on yards and touchdowns; they’re judged on how they elevate the people around them.
He ended with a final piece of guidance aimed squarely at Shedeur Sanders’ growth as a leader: “Come on, build people up. You’re at that place. Build it.”
These comments underline the expectations placed on rookie quarterbacks in the NFL. Even after a strong first win, the spotlight doesn’t dim. Ryan’s remarks reflect that reality, emphasizing that leadership off the field can be just as defining as the play on it.
Fans Push Back on Rex Ryan’s Message as Analysts Continue Rooting for Shedeur
Rex Ryan’s comments set off a major reaction from fans across social platforms. Many felt the message had good intentions, but the timing and delivery overshadowed the point. A large portion of the fanbase pushed back, defending Shedeur Sanders and questioning why his first NFL win led to leadership criticism instead of praise.
One fan pointed out what they saw as inconsistency in Ryan’s tone, writing, “When he said he doesn’t want the chants to be a distraction to Gabriel, where was this energy?” Another viewer referenced a recent moment involving a teammate and questioned why Ryan didn’t highlight it: “So when he took up for Dillon the other week when the crowd booed him you didn’t bring that up. We knew these type critiques were coming up.”
Others defended Sanders directly, emphasizing the amount of pressure and criticism he has already dealt with before completing even one full NFL start. One comment read: “Rex it’s a reason you’re not a head coach anymore. Shedeur has read the headlines and heard the heckling. Looks like his teammates already like him!!! Keep proving them wrong young man.”
Some pushed back even harder: “Not a totally wrong message, but a 100% totally wrong messenger. Shedeur been respectful through all the BS and even took up for Gabriel last week… Bro just got his 1st Start + 1st Dub, and been through A LOT of scrutiny, let him cooook! Pop yo Shiii #12.”
Despite the debate, several analysts maintained supportive views of Sanders. Commentators like Emmanuel Acho and Ryan Clark highlighted his performance, leadership presence, and resilience, noting that He earned the opportunity to start again. Sanders completed 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards, with one touchdown and one interception against the Raiders. Numbers analysts said showed promise for a rookie adjusting to NFL speed.
As reactions continue, one thing is clear: Shedeur Sanders’ debut hasn’t just introduced him to the NFL; it has placed him in the center of a passionate conversation about leadership, expectations, and how a young quarterback handles early success under an intense spotlight.