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Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders was direct with his messages after helping to a victory in his first NFL start on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
He warned the rest of the league that a full offseason with the first team could make the Browns look “dangerous” and promised all his critics that he would not fail. Sanders was criticized on social media for being arrogant when he made those comments after going 11 of 20 for 209 yards and a touchdown.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, left, and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) greet each other after an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Former NFL star Shawne Merriman told Pak Gazette Digital in a recent interview that he was “on the fence” about some of the comments Sanders had made and could understand why he would receive criticism for being arrogant or overconfident.
“But the other side of that is I don’t want to play with a quarterback who doesn’t have confidence. I just don’t do it. I think, personally, that little bit of swagger that Shedeur has gives the Browns the feeling that they have a chance to win every week, which they haven’t had all season,” the former San Diego Chargers linebacker said while praising Myles Garrett and the Cleveland defense.
“When you have them, all they need is a defense. When you play at that level, you have to feel like you’re coming into a game and you have a chance to win. That’s enough. And I think Shedeur’s confidence, whether people like it or not, resonates throughout the locker room. You saw the guys on the sideline when he made that 50-plus yard pass, that’s contagious. You’re walking that fine line of confidence and then you say things that can be considered arrogant. It shows that it is a different team and I am not just referring to the game. “They come into that game with a lot more confidence with Shedeur as the starting quarterback.”
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) prepares for a game against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)
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Sanders got the nod for the Browns’ Week 13 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Merriman expected great things to happen to Sanders if he went out and scored another victory.
“I know that there is a lot of pressure from outside and from the media and that he goes to the fifth round and everything outside the locker room,” he told Pak Gazette Digital. “What happened with Shedeur is the best possible situation for him. You had two quarterbacks in front of him that didn’t pan out. What you want to do is not rush, don’t listen to the people outside the locker room. He stayed the course and stayed positive. His time is here.
San Diego Chargers linebacker (56) Shawne Merriman against the Baltimore Ravens at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on September 20, 2009. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)
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“If he goes out and gets another win this week, he’ll solidify himself as a starting quarterback going forward. He just has to ignore the stuff outside of the locker room and keep doing what he’s doing.”
