Shedeur Sanders debut: No rookie QB in the history of the NFL will be scrutinized more than this one will

Rookies get scrutinized year in and year out rookie quarterbacks, especially that’s why things like PFF exist.

But this time, this scrutiny feels different.

Shedeur Sanders makes the start today for the Cleveland Browns in a start that almost feels like an unwanted and forced move. Kind of like when the school booster son gets pushed to be the quarterback in school when he wasn’t very good.

That is what Sanders deals with on a day-to-day basis. He didn’t have a winning record in college, yet he had one of the highest completion percentages in all of college. Mel Kiper touted him as a top-five pick while everyone else said he wasn’t worth the first-round grade.

His road in the NFL hasn’t been any better. He gets drafted in the fifth round to the quarterback graveyard, the Cleveland Browns. He got very few reps with his team. He's treated like the quarterback they didn’t want, so he’s forced to babysit.

And this could all backfire now, actually getting some training. I have always been vocal that the greatest quarterback in our sport wasn’t a first-round pick and was developed and trained.

Plus, those who were screaming about Sanders didn’t get first-team wraps may not have understood what a backup quarterback is supposed to do.

Thank you, Chase Daniel, for explaining on your X account what a backup is supposed to do.

But isn’t it, as Tom Brady said before:

“Whenever you get an opportunity, treat it like no one else does. Pretend like it’s the Super Bowl or game day.”

Only Shedeur controls what happens today. His play is going to be the most scrutinized the NFL has ever had, and it may be that he only gets one game to do it.