Cleveland Browns Defensive Veteran Has High Praise For QB Shedeur Sanders
The 2025 season for the Cleveland Browns was a turbulent one, marked by a mid-season coaching change and persistent questions at the quarterback position. Amid the uncertainty, one of the most compelling storylines was the emergence of fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders. While his on-field performance had its ups and downs, his conduct behind the scenes earned high praise from at least one respected veteran leader.
Cleveland Browns Star Defends Shedeur Sanders
Cleveland Browns star defensive tackle Shelby Harris recently shared his perspective on the young quarterback, pushing back against some of the negative narratives that surrounded Sanders during the draft process. Harris’s comments provide a valuable inside look at how the rookie handled a difficult situation and what it could mean for the future of the Cleveland Browns quarterback position.
Shelby Harris: “All These Bad Things You Heard…Is Trash”
Speaking on the “Wake Up Barstool” podcast, Shelby Harris was unequivocal in his support for Shedeur Sanders. He addressed the pre-draft chatter that painted Sanders as having a difficult personality, dismissing it as completely inaccurate.
“We love Shedeur and the way he carries himself in the locker room, he’s one of the guys,” Harris stated. “All these bad things you heard about Shedeur before the draft is trash. It was people trying to tear down his name, he wasn’t like that at all.”
This is a significant endorsement from a player like Harris, who is a well-respected, long-tenured veteran in the league. His comments suggest that Sanders integrated himself seamlessly into the locker room culture, a crucial step for any young quarterback looking to earn the trust of his teammates. Harris emphasized that Sanders was “always around everybody, always talking to everybody, he’s in the mix.”
The praise did not stop there. Harris made it clear that he felt the need to defend Sanders’ character publicly. “I know other quarterbacks who are like that, and that’s not him. So, that’s why I’ll always stand up for him,” Harris continued. “It’s not fair to always have this negative outline of himself, when that’s not him. He’s a great kid and I’m excited to see what his future holds.”
A Confusing Rookie Season for Shedeur Sanders
The high praise from a teammate like Harris adds important context to what was a confusing and challenging rookie season. Despite being a high-profile college player, Sanders surprisingly slid to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, where the Browns selected him.
His journey didn’t get any easier once he was in Cleveland. After the team started with veteran Joe Flacco, they turned to third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel. It was only after Gabriel suffered a concussion in Week 11 that Sanders was thrown into the fire. He showed enough promise to be named the starter for the rest of the season.
His final stats were a mixed bag: 1,400 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. The numbers reflect a rookie quarterback learning on the fly with a supporting cast that had its own struggles. Despite the modest statistics, Sanders was surprisingly named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate, a nod to his potential and the flashes of talent he displayed.
A Vote of Confidence from the New Head Coach
The support for Sanders isn’t just coming from his teammates. New Browns head coach Todd Monken, hired after a successful stint as the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator, has also indicated his belief in the young quarterback.
In one of their first meetings at the team facility, Monken revealed to Sanders that he had wanted the Ravens to draft him the previous year. “We tried to draft your a** last year for God’s sake,” Monken told him in a clip shared by the team. “It’s all worked out. You remember that, right?”
This early vote of confidence from the new head coach is a significant development. It shows that Sanders has a key advocate in the building who saw his potential even before arriving in Cleveland. This pre-existing belief could give Sanders a leg up as he heads into a pivotal second season.
What Does This Mean for the Browns’ Future?
The combination of Shelby Harris’ praises and Monken’s prior interest creates a more optimistic outlook for the young quarterback. While the Browns are widely expected to be aggressive in adding talent to the quarterback room this offseason, Sanders appears to be in a strong position to compete for the starting job.
Harris’s comments are particularly important because they address the intangible aspects of leadership. A quarterback’s ability to command respect and build relationships in the locker room is just as important as his arm talent. According to Harris, Sanders has already passed that test with flying colors.
The front office and coaching staff now face the task of building a better ecosystem around him. For Sanders to take the next step, he will need an improved supporting cast and a stable offensive system. With Todd Monken’s offensive acumen and the clear support from veteran leaders, the 2026 season will be Shedeur Sanders’ best opportunity to prove he is the long-term answer for the Cleveland Browns.
