Shedeur Sanders is an undeniably talented quarterback. He put the Colorado offense on his back the last two seasons, despite one of the worst offensive lines in the nation, and lit up scoreboards across the country.
But Sanders also frequently doesn't do himself any favors. Sometimes it's better to say nothing at all, and that's something the former Buffs star is going to have to learn.
On Thursday, Sanders stirred up another round of controversy with his comments about quarterback play around the National Football League.
"I'm ready to play right now," Sanders said. ..."I know if you see the quarterback play in the league right now, I know I'm capable of doing better than that."
Sanders probably isn't wrong. It also doesn't take much of a leap to believe that Sanders is even talking about his own locker room. Joe Flacco has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the league so far this season. The Browns are 1-2 thanks to an elite defense, not because of an offense that ranks 30th in scoring.
It's one thing to have that belief; it's another to share it with the media. That interview is a first-hand look as to why so many teams were apprehensive to draft Sanders back in April. How many third-string quarterbacks are getting interviewed in the locker room multiple times every week? That's a rhetorical question, but the answer is one in case anyone didn't get it.
He can be a pretty big distraction. That's not his fault. His name demands media attention. But NFL teams didn't view him as starter caliber as a rookie, so they were tentative to bring that distraction to their locker rooms.
Shedeur Sanders could get an opportunity with the Browns this year
It's only a matter of time before the Browns move on from Joe Flacco as the starter. The offense has been completely stuck in the mud through three weeks. They need a spark. Unfortunately for Sanders, he won't be the first option off the bench.
Fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, whom Cleveland took two rounds before Sanders, is the No. 2 QB on the depth chart right now. That means when the Browns do decide to make a QB change, he'll likely be first up.
That doesn't mean Sanders won't get a shot. If Gabriel isn't above-average, you would think the Browns would want to give Sanders an opportunity so they know for sure whether they need to target another quarterback in the 2026 draft class.