“I think it’s going to be exciting,” Sanders said. “We’re going out there with a purpose, going out there mentally ready, no distractions, no anything.”
In fact, Sanders is so locked in that he hasn’t even spoken to his father—Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders—about it. His brother Shilo called him this week, but he told him if he or anyone else wants to talk to him, they have to do it in person. He does not want to be spending any of his time on his phone, especially with the barrage of texts he received after his home was broken into on Sunday.
Early in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sanders took command of the offense after starter and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel was ruled out with a concussion. It was tough sledding for Sanders: He completed just four of 16 passes for 47 yards, with an interception. He was sacked twice. He added three carries for 16 yards.
Despite the poor statistical showing, Sanders led a gutsy final drive, which included a 25-yard completion to tight end Harold Fannin Jr., a first-down completion to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, and a potentially game-tying touchdown pass that was dropped by wide receiver Gage Larvadain.
Sanders said the biggest positive for him was simply getting the nerves out from his first regular season start and shaking out the cobwebs after weeks of sitting on the sideline.
“I don’t think a lot of people understand how challenging that is from a rookie going into a game,” he said. “Now a lot of NFL vets, backup quarterbacks, they’ve been in the league, you feel me? I’m just coming out of college, so it’s a different feeling, but I enjoy it.”
He got more settled as the game went on, and is getting more used to the feel of the offense as he works in practice.
As the starter, Sanders will get all of the first team reps in practice this week. Stefanski said that the offensive staff is crafting a game plan that he can feel confident in.
“I’m truly excited for that, knowing that I have a piece of offense and a say-so in how things fit my eye, and place the players exactly where they need to be, seeing how they come in and out of routes, seeing the structure of the O-linemen, seeing their sets; just having a feeling,” Sanders said. “I’m more of a feel type of person. That’s how I learn. ... I’ve got to be out there, feel it. I’ve got to move around. [There are] so many details that it takes for me to feel my best and play my best. I’m doing everything in my power and the team’s doing everything to help me get prepared.”
Stefanski said that the Browns’ quarterback room works hard and learns a lot from each other, watching film and talking with the coaching staff and each other. They also get a sense of how their receivers move during individual periods in practice.
Sanders and Gabriel have both shown growth learning the scheme and how to attack defenses, Stefanski said, though he acknowledged that learning how opposing defenses operate is a challenge because each defense has different strategies.
“He’s worked extremely hard at his craft,” he said. “He fits in with these guys [in] that they love football. They love what they’re doing. They pour themselves into this thing. So it’s been fun to watch Shedeur.”
Sanders said he is not looking too far ahead in terms of earning the full-time starting job, but he is going into this opportunity with confidence because he has to.
“I know our fans have a lot of expectations and hope,” he said. “I would be doing a disservice to myself and a disservice to the organization if I didn’t feel like I am ‘the guy.’ ... I’m doing everything I need to to prepare to be the best version of myself possible. With the circumstances, everything’s got to be sped up and that’s great. I like pressure in life ... but you’ll just have to be able to see. The game’s got to speak.”
