Is the Shedeur Sanders hype train getting derailed? Browns legend Joe Thomas isn’t holding back, offering a dose of reality on the young quarterback’s preseason struggles and draft position. Find out why Thomas believes there’s no conspiracy, just a path of development ahead. What do you think about Sanders’ NFL future?
Cleveland Browns legend Joe Thomas recently delivered a candid “reality check” regarding the burgeoning “Shedeur Sanders cult,” offering a seasoned perspective on the young quarterback’s trajectory in the intensely competitive NFL. His remarks, made during an appearance on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich,” have sparked considerable discussion among fans and analysts alike, especially concerning the development of rookie quarterbacks in the professional league.
The conversation was primarily fueled by Sanders’ challenging performance in the team’s final preseason game. Playing alongside the third-string unit, Shedeur Sanders completed merely three of six passes for 14 yards and endured a significant five sacks, resulting in a loss of 41 yards. This outing, which highlighted the steep learning curve for newcomers, immediately became a focal point for both his staunch supporters and his critics.
Following this game, many of Sanders’ defenders attributed his struggles to the coaching staff, suggesting a lack of proper support or strategic deployment. However, Joe Thomas, a ten-time Pro Bowler and former Browns left tackle, strongly pushed back against this narrative. His professional insights challenged the notion of external blame, emphasizing individual responsibility and the inherent difficulties of transitioning to the professional level.
Thomas, drawing from his extensive NFL experience, offered a clear explanation for Sanders’ draft position, stating, “I think the reason Shedeur fell to the fifth round is because they feel like he’s got a lot of development that he still needs to do before he can be an NFL starting quarterback.” This assessment underscores the rigorous evaluation process of the NFL Draft Analysis and the physical and mental demands placed on aspiring professional players.
Furthermore, the Hall of Fame offensive lineman vehemently dismissed any speculation of a conspiracy to sabotage Sanders. Thomas argued that the idea of 32 opposing NFL teams colluding to undermine a single player is fundamentally illogical. He highlighted the league’s competitive nature, where every franchise is singularly focused on securing talent to gain an advantage over their rivals, rather than conspiring against potential assets.
In fact, Thomas contended that the opposite is true: the better Shedeur Sanders performs, the more attention and “eyeballs” he brings to the sport, which ultimately benefits the entire league. This perspective aligns with the NFL’s business model, which thrives on star power and compelling narratives. A successful, dynamic player like Sanders would only enhance the league’s marketability and fan engagement.
As the season approaches, Shedeur Sanders is slated as the team’s No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart. Veteran Joe Flacco is set to start in Week 1, with Dillon Gabriel serving as his primary backup. This positioning reinforces Thomas’s earlier points about the developmental path Sanders must undertake before potentially ascending to a starting role in the high-stakes world of professional football.
Ultimately, Thomas’s “reality check” serves as a crucial reminder of the demanding journey faced by young players in the NFL. It emphasizes that success at this level is not solely about raw talent but equally about dedication to development, mental fortitude, and the relentless pursuit of improvement, devoid of any external conspiracies or undue expectations. The focus remains squarely on Sanders’ growth as a rookie quarterback.
