Shedeur Sanders, the highly touted quarterback prospect, was left reeling after his stock plummeted at the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite being rated the No. 5 player in the draft by ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., he tumbled all the way to No. 144 in the fifth round, ultimately landing with the hapless Cleveland Browns.
The harsh reality of Sanders' situation is starkly different from that of Tom Brady, the former New England Patriots quarterback who was also drafted in the sixth round and went on to become one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history. Brady's advice to Sanders, "Day 2 matters more than the draft," rings hollow given the Browns' atrocious track record of mismanaging their quarterback position.
Since his first start, Sanders has made steady progress, completing 23 of 42 passes for 364 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in a 31-29 loss to the Titans. However, his performance remains vulnerable to good defenses, and the Bears' unit poses significant challenges for him.
The key matchup will be Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett against rookie left tackle Ozzy Trapilo. Sanders' mobility is crucial, as he already has four pass plays of 50 or more yards, with two of them coming on screen passes to running backs Dylan Sampson and Quinshon Judkins. The Bears, meanwhile, have a defense that leads the NFL with 18 interceptions and 27 takeaways.
To contain Sanders, the Bears will need to focus on stopping the run and putting the Browns in difficult down-and-distance situations. The Browns are 27th in rushing yards (95.6 per game), and Judkins' presence could pose an additional challenge for Trapilo. Ultimately, Sanders has a long way to go to prove his doubters wrong, but a strong defensive performance from the Bears will be essential in stifling his attempts to shine.
Despite the odds being stacked against him, Sanders remains a X-factor in Sunday's matchup against the Bears. Can he continue his steady progress and make a case for himself as a legitimate quarterback prospect? Or will the Browns' woes continue, and Sanders remain a forgotten gem in the NFL draft class of 2025? Only time will tell.
The harsh reality of Sanders' situation is starkly different from that of Tom Brady, the former New England Patriots quarterback who was also drafted in the sixth round and went on to become one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history. Brady's advice to Sanders, "Day 2 matters more than the draft," rings hollow given the Browns' atrocious track record of mismanaging their quarterback position.
Since his first start, Sanders has made steady progress, completing 23 of 42 passes for 364 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in a 31-29 loss to the Titans. However, his performance remains vulnerable to good defenses, and the Bears' unit poses significant challenges for him.
The key matchup will be Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett against rookie left tackle Ozzy Trapilo. Sanders' mobility is crucial, as he already has four pass plays of 50 or more yards, with two of them coming on screen passes to running backs Dylan Sampson and Quinshon Judkins. The Bears, meanwhile, have a defense that leads the NFL with 18 interceptions and 27 takeaways.
To contain Sanders, the Bears will need to focus on stopping the run and putting the Browns in difficult down-and-distance situations. The Browns are 27th in rushing yards (95.6 per game), and Judkins' presence could pose an additional challenge for Trapilo. Ultimately, Sanders has a long way to go to prove his doubters wrong, but a strong defensive performance from the Bears will be essential in stifling his attempts to shine.
Despite the odds being stacked against him, Sanders remains a X-factor in Sunday's matchup against the Bears. Can he continue his steady progress and make a case for himself as a legitimate quarterback prospect? Or will the Browns' woes continue, and Sanders remain a forgotten gem in the NFL draft class of 2025? Only time will tell.
, I really do. He got slammed on draft day and it's tough to bounce back from that. But here's the thing - he's still playing some solid football 
. The Browns might not be the best team in the league, but they've got some talented players like Myles Garrett 
. Sanders is gonna have to bring his A-game if he wants to make a dent in the season. And yeah, Tom Brady's advice was kinda harsh 
, but you can't blame the guy for trying.
. If Sanders gets exposed on the ground, it's gonna be tough for him to move the ball up the field. But he's got some speed and agility, so it's not like the Bears can just shut him down completely 
. It's all about finding that balance and making plays when it matters most 
. Can Sanders do it? We'll see 
.
especially when you look at his stats he's actually doing pretty well for a rookie. I'm not gonna lie tho the bears defense looks super tough and myles garrett is like a beast 
so we'll have to wait and see how it all plays out i'm rooting for sanders tho 
he's got this! 
. I mean, you got this huge talented quarterback prospect gettin' taken way later than expected, like the Browns didn't know what they were doin'. And now he's gotta prove himself against one of the toughest defenses in the league? It's a tough road ahead for him, but at the same time, that's kinda what makes it so interesting 
When did Day 2 become more important than the actual draft day again? 
Meanwhile, Brady's still out here sipping on Patriots blue... 
And what's with all these Browns problems? 
Ozzy Trapilo better bring the heat or he'll be hearing from Sanders' arm!