Aaron Rodgers endorses Shedeur Sanders ahead of Steelers–Browns AFC North clash

Few players are better positioned to evaluate an NFL quarterback’s path than Aaron Rodgers. At 42, the Pittsburgh Steelers veteran has watched prospects arrive with massive expectations, others grind from obscurity, and many stall somewhere in between.

As Pittsburgh prepares to face Cleveland in Week 17, Rodgers turned that perspective toward Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders, offering praise that went beyond routine pregame respect.

Rodgers revealed he had followed Sanders well before their AFC North meeting became reality.

“I’ve followed No. 12’s career. I was pulling for him,” Rodgers said. “It was a tough draft slide, but he’s been patient, worked on his craft, and been playing pretty good.”

The comments reflected an appreciation for process rather than production, a theme that mirrors Sanders’ first NFL season.

Sanders’ route to the league tested that patience. After entering draft conversations as a potential early selection, he was taken in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Cleveland’s early-season quarterback situation kept him mainly on the sidelines, pushing development ahead of urgency. When opportunities did arrive, Sanders avoided pressing, opting instead for incremental growth.

Statistically, his numbers underscore a learning curve. Through Week 16, Sanders completed 92 of 167 passes for 1,103 yards, six touchdowns, and eight interceptions. His completion rate sits at 55.1 percent, with a total QBR of 18.6.

The Browns’ offense limited explosive output, but flashes appeared, including a 364-yard, three-touchdown performance against Tennessee.

Patience, perspective, and a defining AFC North test

Sunday’s matchup layers context onto Sanders’ development. Pittsburgh enters the season at 9-6 with a chance to clinch the AFC North and secure a playoff spot, while Cleveland sits at 3-12, focusing more on evaluation than results.

Rodgers’ own history gives weight to his assessment. Drafted 24th overall by Green Bay in 2005, he spent most of his rookie season observing Brett Favre before earning his chance.

That experience shapes how he views Sanders’ delayed ascent. The Steelers quarterback also acknowledged the broader arc of Sanders’ football life, from Jackson State to Colorado, and now into the NFL spotlight.

The Week 17 contest also places Rodgers opposite both Deion Sanders and his son in an NFL setting, an intersection of eras that underscores the moment.

Sanders has already faced established stars like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, along with former No. 1 picks and varied quarterback profiles. Each outing adds to his education.

Rodgers’ endorsement does not suggest a finished product. Instead, it frames Sanders’ rookie season as groundwork.

Against Pittsburgh, the Browns quarterback gains another chance to absorb pressure, manage adversity, and continue the steady climb Rodgers identified as the objective measure of early success.

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