NFL, American Football Herren, USA Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns Dec 21, 2025 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 is introduced prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field. Cleveland Huntington Bank Field Ohio USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKenxBlazex 20251221_rtc_bk4_0052

Dec 27, 2025, 1:43 PM CUT

Shedeur Sanders Receives Surprising Message from Rival QB Ahead of Upcoming Clash

Ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns clash, 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers spoke about the coincidental similarity he has observed in Shedeur Sanders and his career path during a media session.

“I’ve followed Shedeur’s career,” Rodgers said on Friday, praising the rival team's QB. “I was pulling for him. It was a tough draft slide,” said the Steelers QB.

Sanders went from Jackson State to Colorado following his father, Dion Sanders. He was expected to be a first-round draft pick, but was selected by the Browns in the fifth round. Sanders waited till Week 11 to make his NFL debut.

Similarly, in the 2005 draft, Rodgers was one of the best prospects but slid to overall No. 24. The Green Bay Packers eventually drafted him.

Nov 30, 2025: Aaron Rodgers 8 during the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills game in Pittsburgh, PA. /CSM Pittsburgh USA - ZUMAcp5_ 20251130_faf_cp5_094 Copyright: xJasonxPohuskix

"Obviously, much longer wait than mine was. But it seems like he’s been patient and worked on his craft, and he’s been playing pretty good the last few weeks," Rodgers said of Shedeur Sanders.

And Aaron Rodgers was right. His 364 passing yards against the Titans are the most in league history by a former CU player. That being said, Sanders has also drawn criticism for throwing 8 interceptions in 6 games, and has been sacked 15 times.

So, Shedeur Sanders is focused on making further improvements

The 23-year-old has had a rollercoaster first season. After the Browns traded veteran Joe Flacco, the rookie was entrusted to carry the team forward in a 3-12 season. Sanders has been playing with a bad offensive line, most recently called out after the Bills showdown, and the wide receivers unit.

Apart from that, the absence of injured key players such as David Njoku and Joel Bitonio has heavily impacted the games. However, Shedeur Sanders stated he is focusing on improving his completion rate.

“I just got to get more completions,” Sanders said in a press conference last Wednesday. “Just work within the game and just keep driving the ball, get first downs," he added.

With six touchdowns for 1,103 yards so far, Sanders showed flashes of brilliance against the Titans in Week 14. His four-touchdown performance earned him the Rookie of the Week.

However, we'll have to wait and see how Shedeur Sanders fairs against one of the best quarterbacks in the league when the Browns take on the Steelers.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi