Stephen A. Smith sends clear message to Shedeur Sanders after viral locker room antics

by: Daniel Hager 50 minutes ago DanielHagerOn3

The Cleveland Browns announced on Wednesday that rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel will be starting their Week 5 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in London. Joe Flacco shifts to Cleveland’s backup quarterback, while Shedeur Sanders remains the Browns QB3.

Sanders, drafted alongside Gabriel in April, was asked about the quarterback change and his role remaining the same. Rather than speak, he pantomimed answers back to the media, per Spencer German  of  92.3 The Fan.

Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders only pantomimed answers to questions about the QB change and his role as QB3. pic.twitter.com/YmXjvj6YYc

Sanders’ move was considered bizarre by some, and now ESPN insider Adam Schefter revealed was actually a response to comments made by ESPN analyst and former NFL coach  Rex Ryan . The comments have been slammed across social media and television as making Sanders look childish. ESPN ‘s Stephen A. Smith gave Sanders some advice on Thursday morning’s edition of ‘ Get Up ‘.

“I’m not requiring him to be honest”, Smith said. “I’m saying listen to [ Ryan Clark ] and [ Dan Orlovsky ] and listen to what they’re saying. You know why you’re in this predicament. Don’t give them the ammunition to judge you over something other than what’s taking place on the football field. Don’t give it to them.”

Sanders has not been active for any of Cleveland’s four games this season, instead running the scout team in practice. The reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Sanders slipped to the fifth round of the 2025  NFL Draft . Up until the day of the draft, he was widely expected to come off the board in Round 1. 

He finished his first preseason in Cleveland, completing 17-of-29 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He was sacked seven times.

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