Shedeur Sanders has been the subject of intense speculation since the 2025 NFL Draft. The rookie quarterback became the talk of the Cleveland Browns organization after the team selected him with the 144th overall pick in the fifth round. This came two rounds after Cleveland selected Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel with the 94th overall pick in the third round.
No one could have predicted that the Colorado graduate would fall as far as he did in the draft, sliding from projected first-round status all the way to Day 3. However, recent speeding incidents involving Sanders have drawn commentary from former NFL players, including Miami Dolphins legend Ricky Williams.
Ricky Williams Urges Browns QB Shedeur Sanders to Handle Pressure, Calls Speeding a Warning Sign
Williams, 48, played in the NFL from 1999 to 2011. He offered his perspective on Sanders’ behavior following reports that the rookie was cited twice for speeding in Ohio during June 2025. Sanders was first pulled over on June 5 for driving 91 mph in a 65 mph zone, then again on June 17 for driving 101 mph in a 60 mph zone.
When asked if he believes the criticism surrounding Sanders’ speeding tickets is being blown out of proportion, Williams provided a measured response: “I don’t think so. I think it’s a warning sign. Not an alarm, but I’ve been there. When there’s a lot of heat on you, lay low. It doesn’t mean you always have to lay low, but you need to have that sensitivity to when the heat is on you, lay low.”
“Here’s the other thing, with everything that went down on draft day, everyone around him seemed p***** off, but when they showed him on camera, he seemed cool,” Williams said.
“And that’s how you’re supposed to be. Speeding is a manifestation of repressed anger. It’s gotta get out somehow. If I was his psychologist, I’d say it’s okay to be angry.”
As any player of his stature would be, Sanders is not satisfied with his current position in the Browns’ quarterback competition. The rookie is competing for the starting job alongside fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, veteran Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett.
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According to recent reports, Sanders has been working with the fourth-string unit during OTAs (organized team activities), while the other three quarterbacks have received more opportunities with higher-level groups.
Sanders has acknowledged his mistakes regarding the speeding incidents, telling reporters at teammate David Njoku’s celebrity softball game that he’s “made some wrong choices.” The quarterback has since decided to stop driving and will rely on alternative transportation methods to avoid further incidents.
The 23-year-old Sanders threw for 4,134 yards with 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during his final season at Colorado in 2024, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors. His 74.1% completion percentage led all FBS quarterbacks that season.
No matter what happens moving forward, Sanders should heed Williams’ advice about managing pressure and staying focused on football. There’s no question that being drafted in the fifth round instead of the first round cost Sanders millions of dollars, but the young quarterback needs to channel any frustration into proving his worth on the field rather than behind the wheel.
So he speeds and so what … when I come home from work I see all ages of speeders I guess they are repressing some issues or maybe they hate slower drivers who are in the fast lane… when I’m hungry I eat my food faster than normal… give me my diagnoses… I’ll wait … and Sanders was just glad to be drafted!! And the Browns owner isn’t stupid … I here he pushed for Sanders… must have been the smartest guy in the room full of experts.