Shedeur Sanders has delivered a brutally honest assessment of his NFL debut, admitting he "flunked" his first appearance for the Cleveland Browns in their narrow defeat to the Baltimore Ravens.
Disappointing Debut for NFL Legacy
The 23-year-old quarterback, son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, finally got his chance to shine during Sunday's game after starter Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion in the second half. Sanders received a huge ovation from Browns fans as he entered the field, but couldn't translate that support into a victory for the home side.
Baltimore ultimately edged the contest 23-16, with Sanders unable to inspire a comeback despite having the opportunity to orchestrate a game-winning drive in the final moments.
Statistical Struggles and Self-Reflection
The rookie's performance statistics made for sobering reading. Sanders managed 16 rushing yards and 47 passing yards, completing just four of his 16 attempted passes. His debut was further marred by one interception and two sacks during his time on the field.
Speaking after the game, Sanders didn't attempt to sugarcoat his performance. "I don't think I played good at all," he confessed. "It was just rough overall, it was a rough day overall."
The quarterback expressed his discomfort with losing, stating: "Losing isn't something I'm comfortable with. I just have to take this one. I have to decompress, I have to understand: this really happened. On my watch."
Fan Support and Future Determination
Despite his disappointment, Sanders acknowledged the overwhelming support from Cleveland supporters while offering a thoughtful perspective on how fan enthusiasm might affect team dynamics. He expressed concern about how chants for his inclusion might impact Gabriel's confidence when he returns to action.
"I don't really like him not feeling comfortable or confident when he gets out there," Sanders said. "And it's not helping the team. That could be taken as: I'm a distraction even though I'm not doing anything."
Nevertheless, he remained grateful for the backing, adding: "I'm thankful for the support, for the fans, for everybody out there that believes. When I got out there, I definitely felt them and I'm truly thankful for it."
Looking ahead, Sanders maintained his self-belief despite the challenging debut. "I still have the same confidence. I'm still me. That'll never go anywhere," he insisted. "I know I'm made for it. I don't think there was a doubt in my mind that that final drive we were going to go down there and score."
The quarterback did find some positives in his first NFL experience, noting: "It's all you could ask for, honestly - the chance to get out there, get your feet wet, experience how it feels to even be out there."
