The war of words over Shedeur Sanders has escalated into one of the NFL’s most unexpected storylines of the season. A rookie quarterback who hasn’t even taken a regular-season snap is now at the center of a heated media firestorm, and Cam Newton is jumping into the fray with both feet.
The former NFL MVP used his platform this week to fire back at Rex Ryan, accusing the ex-head coach of making damaging and unfounded remarks about Sanders that could impact the young quarterback’s career trajectory.
Much of the situation was outlined in a report by PFSN’s Max Dorsey, who detailed how the rookie quarterback’s words and actions have put him under the media spotlight despite his third-string status.
Newton Defends Sanders Against Harsh Media Narrative
Rex Ryan, known for his unfiltered takes, took a direct shot at Sanders on ESPN’s First Take after the Cleveland Browns’ rookie suggested he was already better than several NFL starters.
Ryan didn’t hold back, calling Sanders an “embarrassment” and demanding that he “get in the front row” and “study.”
“This kid talks, and he runs his mouth,” Ryan said. “Quit being an embarrassment that way.”
That comment might have been just another hot take, but Newton believes it crossed a line. Speaking on his 4th & 1 show, the former Panthers star questioned Ryan’s credibility and the potential damage such claims could cause.
“My issue with what Rex Ryan said is not even about Cleveland,” Newton said. “But when you say certain things like ‘get into the front of the room’ and ‘study,’ where are you getting those sources from? You can’t just regurgitate BS because it’s impacting his value for other teams.”
Newton argued that Sanders, despite being a third-stringer, still has real trade potential. Remarks like Ryan’s, he warned, can poison how other franchises perceive him, especially if they’re not backed by actual information.
Beyond Trash Talk The Stakes Are Real for Sanders
Newton’s frustration goes deeper than one TV segment. He suggested the Browns themselves may not be setting Sanders up for success, hinting at an ulterior motive to keep him on the roster as a business asset rather than a future starter.
“I don’t think they want Shedeur Sanders to be successful in Cleveland,” Newton said, speculating that the team knows cutting him would lead another franchise to scoop him up. “He’s good for business on our roster.”
The controversy intensified after Sanders responded to Ryan’s criticism by miming answers during a media session, a silent protest that quickly went viral. That, combined with his earlier comments about outshining current starters, has kept Sanders in headlines despite his depth chart position.
Newton isn’t alone in calling foul. FS1 analyst Nick Wright backed him up, arguing that Sanders’ star power invites harsher criticism than most backup quarterbacks face. “One of the only jobs in America where you get penalized for star power is backup quarterback,” Wright said.
Both Newton and Wright suggested that labels like “arrogant” or “overconfident” often come with underlying biases. Sanders’ celebrity, charisma, and lineage as the son of Deion Sanders make him an easy target, even if they also help him “move the needle.”
The Browns may have benched Joe Flacco and handed the offense to rookie Dillon Gabriel, but the spotlight remains firmly on Sanders.
Whether he ever gets the chance to prove Ryan wrong is an open question, but Newton’s defense has reframed the debate: this isn’t just about one rookie’s confidence. It’s about how narratives can shape careers before they even begin.
