Shedeur Sanders Confidently Reiterates ‘He Is The Guy’ Despite Stephen A. Smith’s Warning

Shedeur Sanders has been practicing with the 1st team as he gets ready to start his first NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Shedeur Sanders Confidently Reiterates ‘He Is The Guy’ Despite Stephen A. Smith’s Warning

Stephen A. Smith believes Shedeur Sanders will be under pressure (Image via Imago/Brad Stainbrook/X)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

The Cleveland Browns have made it official. 5th round pick Shedeur Sanders will be their starting quarterback for their upcoming Week 12 clash against the Las Vegas Raiders.

It will be a full-circle moment for the rookie, who was once very much interested in joining his upcoming opponent as their 1st round draft pick. Now, as the Raiders continue to struggle, Sanders will get the best opportunity to prove them wrong.

After a disappointing half of football to start his NFL career, the 23-year-old will be looking to bounce back. To start with, he has been practicing with the 1st team, which means he now has access to the best players on the roster.

Then there is the confidence factor. After being embarrassed the way he did against the Ravens, it will do him well if he resets and focuses on the task at hand.

I know there is a lot of expectations and hope. I would be doing a disservice to myself and disservice to the organization if I didn’t feel like I’m the guy, I know I’m the guy.

Shedeur Sanders told reporters

Such a statement generally does not befit a 5th round pick, who probably has just one game to prove his worth. But it seems that fact has not fazed him, as Shedeur Sanders believes he will prove why the Browns should stick with him as their QB1.

Stephen A. Smith warns Shedeur Sanders of immense pressure

Shedeur Sanders’ confidence could bode well when the first whistle sounds off at 4:05 p.m. at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada. However, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith decided to remind the rookie of the pressure he would be under.

Shedeur Sanders, I can’t think of a game that’s going to be more important. He can’t come out this week and stink up the joint, going 4 for 16 like he did last week. Nobody is giving him a pass… It’s going to be bad. He is under immense pressure to at least look respectable this week.

Stephen A. Smith said on First Take

The long-time analyst believes fans and analysts will be jumping at the chance to label the Browns’ rookie a failure. Last week, the blame mostly fell on head coach Kevin Stefanski for not preparing his QB with the 1st team.

This time, there will be no excuse. Even though other quarterbacks have had more leeway, the pressure on Shedeur Sanders will be at an all-time high.

If he performs respectably, those critics will probably give him another chance or two. But if there is a repeat of his struggles in his first few snaps in the league, Smith believes the barbarians will be at the gates.

Shedeur Sanders gets honest about his ‘motion’ with Browns

During that post-practice interview in the Browns’ locker room, a reporter asked Shedeur Sanders if he was going to request the coaches to include some of the young receivers from the 2nd team, as he is most comfortable with them.

Shedeur Sanders will make his 1st start against Raiders
Shedeur Sanders will make his 1st start against Raiders (Image via Dov Kleiman/X)

I don’t have that much motion here yet. I’ve got to win some games, I have to do what I’ve got to do to be able to make some requests. Right now, I’m just excited to be on the field.

Shedeur Sanders replied

This was an honest reply, as the Texas native knows he does not have the leeway a franchise quarterback will have. For that to happen, he has to first start winning some games. Only then can he be in a position to make requests.

Also Read: