The Cleveland Browns' quarterback room has turned into a sideshow this season, and former NFL coach Rex Ryan just poured fuel on the fire. On Monday's edition of ESPN's Get Up, Ryan didn't hold back, ripping into rookie Shedeur Sanders for what he called a lack of preparation. Sanders, the third-string quarterback behind Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, has been sidelined as the Browns limp to a 1-3 record. Ryan's blunt assessment? Sanders should be "embarrassed" that he's not starting, implying the Colorado product isn't putting in the work to earn snaps.
Indeed, Ryan's comments stem from Sanders' own bold remarks last week, where the 23-year-old claimed he could outperform many NFL starters based on what he's seen. That bravado didn't sit well with Ryan, who questioned if Sanders even bothers studying film from the back of the meeting room. The ex-Jets and Bills head coach, known for his fiery takes, suggested Sanders is more focused on running his mouth than grinding like a pro. It's a stinging critique from a man who's been there, coaching Super Bowl contenders, though Ryan's own 61-66 record leaves room for debate on his quarterback whisperer credentials.
However, Sanders fired back in his own unique way. During Wednesday's press conference—after the Browns benched Flacco for Gabriel—Sanders opted for silence, miming responses to reporters' questions about his depth chart status. The awkward exchange went viral, with one scribe asking if he had anything to say "vocally," only for a team staffer to cut it short. Moreover, Sanders' mother, Pilar, jumped into the fray on Instagram, labeling Ryan's energy "cancerous" and "impotent." She deleted the post soon after, but not before it sparked more buzz around the Sanders family drama that Deion has long amplified.
The Browns, meanwhile, face mounting pressure with Flacco's middling play—completing just 58% of passes in losses to strong teams like the Lions. Gabriel got some late-game reps in that 34-10 defeat, but Sanders remains buried. Ryan's rant highlights a broader issue: is the hyped draft pick, selected in the second round, truly ready for the league's demands? Or is this just the growing pains of a franchise desperate for stability at the position?
Whatever the case, this quarterback carousel in Cleveland raises questions about talent evaluation and ego in the NFL—how much preparation does it really take to turn potential into performance?