The New Orleans Saints learned on Friday that the Cleveland Browns will start Shedeur Sanders at quarterback when the two teams meet on Sunday. However, his comments on taking over from Deshaun Watson have sparked an unexpected debate.

Sanders was asked on Wednesday to assess the Saints’ defense, but he avoided giving a straight answer. His response appeared to catch the attention of the Saints defensive end Carl Granderson, who responded with a blunt take.

Carl Granderson Takes Notice of Shedeur Sanders’ Comments

Rather than assess the Saints’ defense, Sanders said his smile should speak for itself, suggesting he was becoming more mature and learning not to entertain certain questions. Sanders also said that he could have provided a “decent answer” but had instead decided to respond with a smile.

Granderson heard Sanders’ comment and said that the Saints’ defense would enter Sunday’s game with extra motivation.

“We’re gonna come in with a chip on our shoulder for sure,” Granderson told reporters. “They’ve been chirping a little bit. We see what the quarterback is saying.

“So we’re gonna come in hot and ready to play. We’re gonna pack the defense, and the offense gonna come in. It’s going to be a good game for sure. We’re gonna come out with the [win].”

The exchange naturally attracted attention from many in the NFL.

“We need more of this in the NFL. Now I’m even more interested in Saints-Browns,” ESPN’s Ben Baby wrote.

“Making up fake beef for the love of the game,” one fanremarked, taking aim at the Saints DE.

The Saints’ defensive statistics show that Granderson and his teammates have plenty of work to do before the upcoming game.

New Orleans has given up an average of 27.7 points and 139.4 rushing yards per game and ranks #31 in the league with a PFN Defense Impact Score of 65.3.

Some Browns, meanwhile, thought his reaction to Sanders’ comment was unnecessary.

“He literally said nothing. Why do you think the local and national media have been going after him the past 24 hours? Saints are trying to copy the Steelers bs; it’s corny,” a fan wrote.

“Man, he wasn’t talking about y’all lol, he only said that bc the reporters be tryna play with him,” another said.

“Shedeur literally said nothing; I’m confused. The Saints are terrible; maybe they should focus on themselves rather than focus on a mystery quote from a QB they’re facing. Wish one of the reporters would’ve asked, ‘What did the QB say?’” a third fan added.

Sanders has plenty to prove when he takes the field in Week 9. He was sacked 23 times and finished with 10 interceptions compared to just seven touchdown passes last season after he took over under center. He also ranked second-to-last in PFN QB Impact Score, with only Cam Ward having a worse year.