Even with the Cleveland Browns’ surprising start to the 2026 season, nobody could have truly expected that their Week 9 game against the New Orleans Saints would attract national attention. However, that all changed when it became clear that Shedeur Sanders was going to be the Browns’ starting quarterback in place of injured Deshaun Watson.
As the most popular backup quarterback in the NFL, many people were waiting for Sanders to get his chance, even though Watson had been playing well, with five game-winning drives in the first eight contests. Unfortunately, Watson started to experience concussion symptoms coming out of the Browns’ 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, giving Sanders this opportunity.
With that in mind, ESPN host Stephen A. Smith is sending a big message to Sanders ahead of Sunday’s game, saying he has a chance to not only impress the Browns but also other teams around the league.
“Now, the chance has arrived for Shedeur Sanders. And with them having a winning record and vying for supremacy within the AFC North, the defense showing up and being legit, this is a big opportunity for Shedeur Sanders. If you show that you belong out on that field, if you ain’t playing for Cleveland, you’ll be playing for somebody else. But it’s his opportunity to show it because they were winning games without him. Now, you gotta make sure they’re winning games with you. This is your opportunity. Otherwise, nobody can say anything, regardless of who his daddy is,” Smith said.
Smith has been a vocal supporter of Sanders going all the way back to college and the 2025 NFL Draft, and he could not help but bring up the circumstances that he believes led to his falling into the fifth round. Yet he did acknowledge that Sanders did not play very well in his seven starts as a rookie.
Now, Sanders has a chance to reset that narrative with this unexpected starting assignment. After taking a helmet-to-helmet hit in the first quarter, Watson was cleared to return to the game against the Steelers, but he reentered concussion protocol this week.
Browns head coach Todd Monken said he believes Sanders will benefit from the first-team reps he took during the preseason competition with Watson. After playing just five snaps this season, Sanders was also able to practice with the offensive starters leading up to this game.
With Watson’s status uncertain going forward, the Browns may no longer be able to afford to trade Sanders before the NFL deadline on Tuesday, but he could create a market for himself this offseason with a strong performance.
NEXT: Insider Shuts Down The Browns QB Controversy
