Cam Newton conveys firm statement to Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns following draft omission
Alright, let's dive into the NFL Draft drama surrounding Shedeur Sanders, the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback who slipped to round five and was picked up by the Cleveland Browns. And guess who's dishing out advice? None other than the legendary Cam Newton!
During a recent episode of his "4th & 1" podcast, Newton laid it all on the line for the young quarterback. He urged Sanders to forget about any flashy nonsense and focus purely on hard work. Essentially, "earn your stripes, don't flaunt them," according to the former NFL MVP.
"Listen up, Sanders! Lead with grind, not glitz. Prove yourself through sweat and dedication, not social media clout," Newton said, setting the stage for the new Browns quarterback's NFL journey.
Newton thinks Cleveland's quarterback situation is the perfect opportunity for Sanders to shine, as the position group is wide open. "There's no established pecking order here, so if you're as great as you say you are, show 'em," he challenged.
But it's not all rosy for Sanders. Nathaniel Peterkin of CBS Sports (and many others) has cast doubt on comparisons between Sanders and Colin Kaepernick. Meanwhile, Chris Long, a former NFL defensive end, criticized Deion Sanders, Shedeur's father and former coach, for overvaluing his son.
As for the Browns' current quarterback lineup, it includes Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and, of course, the freshly drafted Shedeur Sanders. Newton believes the youngster could snag some playing time for Cleveland next season, providing he works his way up with some grit and determination.
"There's a good chance Sanders will step onto the field for the Browns this year, but it'll either be because they're desperate to find a quarterback or because he's earned his slot through solid work ethic," Newton predicts.
Before joining the Browns, Sanders honed his skills under his father's watchful eye in Colorado. As a senior, he topped the Big 12 Conference with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns, while recording 10 interceptions. His completion percentage of 74.0% led all Football Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks.
But as Cam Newton points out, now that Sanders has left the nest, it's time for the young quarterback to prove himself on his own terms, without relying on family connections or glitzy public personas. So let's see if the kid's got the guts to step up and ball out when the time comes. Keep grinding, Sanders, because the NFL is a ruthless playground. You know what they say – show me your work, and I'll show you my respect.
- Cam Newton, a former NFL MVP, advised Shedeur Sanders, the newly drafted quarterback by the Cleveland Browns, to focus on hard work and dedication rather than flashy nonsense.
- Newton believes that the quarterback position in Cleveland lacks an established pecking order and challenges Sanders to prove himself through sweat and grind, not social media clout.
- Criticism has been leveled at Shedeur Sanders by Nathaniel Peterkin of CBS Sports and Chris Long, former NFL defensive end, over comparisons to Colin Kaepernick and the perceived overvaluation by his father and former coach.
- In the Browns' current quarterback lineup, Sanders now competes with Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and is encouraged by Newton to seize playing time next season if he can earn his slot through strong work ethic.
- As a senior in Colorado, Sanders led the Big 12 Conference in passing yards and touchdowns, but with his family connections no longer a factor now that he's in the NFL, he must show his mettle and perform on his own merits to gain respect in the league.
