RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed.
Shedeur Sanders is back for the first time. The Cleveland Browns quarterback may be entering his second NFL season, but the circumstances surrounding Sanders on the eve of his rookie and sophomore campaigns are in stark contrast, to say the least.
By now, you’re probably familiar with the media’s story: Projected first-round draft pick shockingly plummets to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. League sources and commentators attribute the fall to supposed arrogance, nepotism, and entitlement, questioning his game and its ability to translate to the next level. Others view the unexpected drop down the draft boards as a conspiracy and humiliation ritual meant to humble the prospect and his family.
He’s selected 144th overall by the Cleveland Browns, two rounds after fellow Cleveland draftee Dillion Gabriel. Controversy ensues. Then-Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski relegates Sanders to fourth string on the team’s initial depth chart. An outcry ensues. Injuries, trades, and lackluster play occur. Shedeur gets his shot during the latter half of the season and becomes the first Browns rookie quarterback in three decades to win their first start in a Week 12 24-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Shedeur mania hits a fever pitch. Typical rookie lowlights and blunders occur, as do highlight-reel plays and growing belief within the Cleveland locker room that a spark has been felt.
The Browns, led by Sanders, string together multiple wins, with Shedeur (and Myles Garrett’s sack record) accounting for the few memorable notes from an otherwise dreadful season.
Yet, this time around, Shedeur is penning his latest chapter, putting narratives behind him, and making his presence felt, one play at a time. This off-season has come with quite a few changes for both Shedeur and his team. Stefanski, whom many criticized for his seeming reluctance to play or commit to Shedeur as the starting quarterback, was fired by the Browns front office. It was a move widely seen as beneficial to Shedeur’s development and potentially helping him retain his starting job.
“I don’t really think about none of that,” Sanders tells VIBE during a break from his off-season training regimen. “I just think about every day. Just focusing on every day at a time and what’s in front of me. I don’t think about the past like that. If I reflect too much, then I’m going to be stuck in that area, so I try not to reflect.”
He has also switched his jersey number from No. 12, which he wore as a rookie, back to No. 2, his number throughout his high school and collegiate careers. When asked if the switch, which was made possible by former Browns wide receiver DeAndre Carter leaving the team, signals a rebirth and new beginning, Sanders agrees.
“Yeah, of course. That’s naturally who I am. I am No. 2. It was a great year to remember, honestly. That’s why I got as many No. 12 jerseys as I could get, personally, because I know what that is. I know what that’s going to do in the future.”
Currently, Sanders is focused on the present, as he’s in the midst of a quarterback competition while learning a new offense under new Browns head coach Todd Monken, who replaced Stefanski during the offseason and has appeared more receptive to Shedeur. “I would say playing under him and his staff is really good. We get good work every day, so I’m thankful that we’ve got those coaches that we’ve got.”
Still, being the son of NFL Hall of Famer and cultural icon Deion Sanders, you’re expected to be able to carve out time for fun, entertainment, and excitement every so often. Shedeur did just that with the release of his new single, “Turn Back,” which displays the musical talent first heard on his 2024 single, “Perfect Timing,” and its Red Cup Nation-assisted remix from last year.
Laden with pianos and driven by Sanders’ melodic flow, “Turn Back” was accompanied by a short film, providing an introspective glimpse into Shedeur’s thoughts and mind-state at this time in his life and career.
Shedeur gets candid about preparing for the upcoming NFL season, escaping through music, what’s currently on his playlist, and why we’ll likely never hear him and his father on a song together.
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VIBE: You’re currently getting ready for the NFL season. How would you say that your training has evolved from last year till now?
Shedeur Sanders : I would say I know exactly what I need to do and how to get to the feeling I need to get to. That’s really it. I’m more in control of understanding myself. I would say it’s all basics. It’s just getting the basics down. You’ve just got to get the basics to a high level, and you’ll be fine.
This is your second year. Would you say that you’re acclimated to the NFL at this point?
No, I wouldn’t say I’m acclimated to it, but I understand a little bit more than I did.
What are some of the ways that you’ve grown in that understanding?
I would say managing my time and cutting out a lot of the fat. Physically, relationships, everything.
You’re in a quarterback competition with Deshaun Watson. What have the conversations and interactions with you and him been like during the training sessions and in general?
No, bro, cool. He cool, honestly.
Would you say that it ever gets awkward being in that you’re gunning for the same spot? With all the noise surrounding that, that’s the elephant in the room.
They don’t get awkward. They never get awkward.
Another big thing during the off-season was the Myles Garrett trade. Where were you when you heard the news, and what was your reaction to it?
I don’t know where I was, honestly. Myles is an amazing player, and of course his players are going to miss him and everything. The whole Browns [organization] most likely misses him. I’ve got to focus on the team that we currently do have and focus on what my job is. To be able to lead the team.
I don’t really try to think too deep on that situation and everything because I know the person that’s making the decisions. He makes great decisions...
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