Former Browns QB Defends Shedeur Sanders’ Rough Outing

Shedeur Sanders saw extended time in the Cleveland Browns’ 34-10 walloping at the hands of the Chicago Bears on Saturday. He came on in relief of Deshaun Watson, who had a decent showing in his first action in nearly two years, and completed six of 11 passes for 79 yards with an interception and a fumble that was recovered by the offense.

Sanders’ interception came on a brutal overthrow and he has a lot to clean up ahead of next week’s start against the Buffalo Bills. It could be his last chance to win the Week 1 gig, but according to Robert Griffin III, his performance on Saturday wasn’t all bad.

RGIII shared a clip after the game of Sanders’ clutch third-and-long completion to get the Browns down into the red zone early in the third quarter. He said it was a risky move by the young QB, but praised him for having the confidence and arm talent for being able to convert the first down anyway.

“Shedeur Sanders on 3rd and 13 drifting to 12 yards deep off his drop back will drive every O-linemen and OL coach crazy because it doesn’t allow the O-Line to set a proper pocket for the QB. BUT…if you do it…you better make the throw. Shedeur will,” said Griffin.

Shedeur Sanders on 3rd and 13 drifting to 12 yards deep off his drop back will drive every O-line men and OL coach crazy because it doesn’t allow the O-Line to set a proper pocket for the QB.

BUT…If you do it..
You better make the throw.

Shedeur will. pic.twitter.com/EIb2nKTX8Y

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 15, 2026

The play from the clip was a nice throw, but it once again showed one of Sanders’ biggest flaws on full display. He drifted 12 yards back despite having a relatively clean pocket to step up into, and even though he made the throw, it’s the kind of play that can often result in a sack or a lame duck pass that leads to an interception.

Sanders has been having a solid camp and has done a better job protecting the ball than Watson has, but that wasn’t the case on Saturday. He and Dillon Gabriel both threw picks, though Watson lost a fumble while also leading the team on its only touchdown drive of the day.

The clip shared by RGIII shows why so many are adamant that Sanders can be the guy. He possesses legitimate high-level qualities you’d want from a quarterback, but until he starts doing more of the little things, this is going to be Watson’s job to lose.