CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 21: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 throws a pass during the first quarter of the National Football League game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 21 Bills at Browns EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251221009
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 21: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 throws a pass during the first quarter of the National Football League game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 21 Bills at Browns EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251221009
Dec 28, 2025, 6:03 PM CUT
"Do Not Fall Victim": Cam Newton Warns Shedeur Sanders Amidst Concerns Over Future
The Browns have faced multiple unpleasant situations this season. They’ve faced many divisive or aggressive questions, especially rookie Shedeur Sanders.
If his first year in the pro league was a test on how well Sanders can handle the pressure, then he might’ve fared well, according to a veteran.
Cam Newton, a former Carolina Panthers quarterback, complimented Sanders for handling the media so well so far. In an episode of his podcast 4th & 1, he also warned Sanders about the media’s habit of manipulation.
Cleveland Brown s Shedeur Sanders 12 looks on from the sidelines against the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday October 19, 2025. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUSA CLE2025101929 AARONxJOSEFCZYK
Cleveland Brown s Shedeur Sanders 12 looks on from the sidelines against the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday October 19, 2025. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUSA CLE2025101929 AARONxJOSEFCZYK
“Do not fall victim to the trap,” he asked.
“They come in many different ways and shapes and asks and requests. The best way you know how, the best way to avoid, and the best way to kind of stay ahead is to understand what the true question is and answer that the best you know how.”
Newton, the 2015 MVP award winner, has faced a similar circus. He also stated that the media tends to “try to create separation” and “try to manipulate a storyline.”
In gameweek 15, a reporter asked for Sanders’s opinion on the in-game calls made by Kevin Stefanski. Sanders simply smiled and said, “I know you can’t be asking me that question, man.”
He further added, “If we want to change, if we want to change the narrative, change the franchise, if we want to help, we got to speak.”
Sanders’ Experience With The Media
He emphasized that such questions cause harm to the unity in the locker room and create miscommunication.
“A lot of the players get these type of questions, and then we want to be working with y’all. But when you ask questions, it’s like you pinning stuff against each other, it’s like, come on now.”
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns Dec 7, 2025 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 watches from the sidelines late in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Huntington Bank Field. Cleveland Huntington Bank Field Ohio USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKenxBlazex 20251207_kab_bk4_006
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns Dec 7, 2025 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 watches from the sidelines late in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Huntington Bank Field. Cleveland Huntington Bank Field Ohio USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKenxBlazex 20251207_kab_bk4_006
Sanders, drafted in the fifth round, had faced challenges with his head coach and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. Stefanski has been questioned for his alleged partiality towards Gabriel multiple times, and they were booed recently.
Sanders said that such questions from reporters and media persons don’t help the team.
“That don’t help anything,” he said.
“It don’t help anything in any situation, no matter how you answer it,” he further added.
His future as the starting quarterback in the franchise remains uncertain. But Sanders must keep his cool against all odds.
Written by
Akanksha Biradar
Edited by
Oajaswini Prabhu