Entering the season, there was a lot of chatter surrounding Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation. Watson was eventually named the starter in training camp, but it seemed like only a matter of time before Sanders would get another opportunity to show what he could do.

However, as the weeks went by and the Browns continued winning, the conversation around Sanders began to fade. Now, with Watson in the NFL’s concussion protocol ahead of Cleveland’s Week 9 matchup against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Sanders is back in the spotlight. And based on one analyst’s reaction to Sanders’ latest media appearance, the young quarterback seems to have made a good impression.

Shedeur Sanders’ Maturity Praised by Colin Cowherd

After being selected 144th overall in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders is now in his sophomore season. He has appeared in just two games in 2026, completing all three of his passes for two yards. He could now get a chance to make the eighth start of his NFL career, provided Watson doesn’t clear concussion protocol.

With Sanders potentially stepping in as the Browns’ starter, this time under head coach Todd Monken rather than Kevin Stefanski, reporters spoke with the 24-year-old quarterback on Wednesday. After Sanders’ media appearance, FS1’s Colin Cowherd revisited what he viewed as the quarterback’s immaturity when he entered the NFL.

“So, Shedeur Sanders grows up with American wealth,” Cowherd said. “Deion Sanders, wealthy. He goes to Colorado. He’s the star of the show. It just changes the calculus when you’re in the back seat of a Bentley. A little different life.

“So, he goes to the NFL. He had that legendary draft room nonsense. I thought that was immature. He got two speeding tickets. As a quarterback, it’s not the end of the world, but it’s not smart. And then, he learned.”

Cowherd recalled his previous criticism of Sanders, whom he had described as “unserious.” However, his latest assessment shows that he is beginning to see a different side of the young quarterback.

“Just listen to the maturity of him, how he has grown… Remember when he got drafted? I said he was just unserious. He’s not a bad kid, but he was just unserious,” Cowherd continued.

Cowherd now seems to believe that Sanders has made real progress. He pointed to the young QB’s own comments during the media session as evidence of that change.

“I definitely want to thank the whole coaching staff, Andrew Berry and everyone who’s part of the organization for giving me another chance to be here for this year, this season,” Sanders told reporters. “Last year, I was able to see what I needed to see, feel different things during the games, and understand what I need to get better at… Overall, I’m just excited for this opportunity.”

Sanders sounded genuinely excited about the possibility of starting Sunday. He hasn’t started a game since Jan. 4, 2026, when he helped the Browns earn a 20-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

After hearing Sanders speak, Cowherd explained why that kind of maturity matters so much to him, especially from a quarterback.

“Gratitude, humility, adult, very serious, that’s what I want,” Cowherd said. “That’s why I’m excited to watch him. It’s not that he was a bad kid, but he was unserious and jokey and goofy. I don’t want that from my quarterback. The quarterback position is unfair. We’ve asked you to be a 42-year-old man at 22 years old. It’s unfair. We don’t ask that of receivers and mike linebackers and right tackles.”

Cowherd also made it clear that he can’t wait to see Sanders play.

“I gotta watch that guy. I’ve never been so excited for a backup quarterback to play for the Cleveland Browns. I can’t wait,” added the analyst.

With the Browns ranking 29th in scoring this season, Sanders could provide a boost the team wasn’t expecting.

Watson ranks No. 22 among quarterbacks with a PFN QB Impact Score of 70.3, so it will be interesting to see whether Sanders can give Cleveland better production if he gets the chance to start.