When it comes to quarterback development, not every veteran is eager to take a young player under their wing. Joe Flacco, now competing for the Cleveland Browns’ starting job, made it clear that he’s not in Cleveland to mentor rookie Shedeur Sanders; he’s there to win.
Former NFL MVP Cam Newton recently weighed in on the situation, comparing Flacco’s approach to Tom Brady’s legendary mindset when it came to mentoring younger quarterbacks.
Cam Newton Shares His Experience With Tom Brady
Newton explained that he once reached out to Brady, hoping to learn from the seven-time Super Bowl champion. But Brady, still in the middle of his career at the time, wasn’t ready to share his secrets.
“Ain’t nobody is gonna say, ‘C’mon man, I’m gonna give you all the tricks of the trade,'” Newton said highlighting how veterans tend to make rookies learn on their own. “I remember this conversation, it happened virtually over DM, and I reached out to Tom Brady. You know, we had good banter going across, but it halted when I asked this question: ‘Hey bro, I’m trying to link up with you and learn from you.'”
Brady’s response, according to Newton, reflected the competitive mindset of veteran players:
“‘I’ll teach you all the tricks of the trade when I get done,'” Newton recalled Brady saying.
While this mentality could come off as selfish to some, Newton pointed out how it can actually elevate a young player’s game even more.
“This was when he was in Tampa,” Newton said. “I respect it. Why? Because I’ve seen this happen in real time. It could be both ways, it’s just subjective to who’s seeing it. I respect Tom Brady so much because he is the greatest of all time on paper, resume-wise. There’s no other winningest quarterback in league history than Tom Brady. So why wouldn’t you want to learn from that guy?”
Newton emphasized the value of learning from the best, then elaborated on the importance of putting in the work, referencing Brady’s own journey.
“‘Hey bro, I had 20-plus years of taking notes, jotting down things, I did it,'” Newton summarized. “You can’t skip the line, you can’t take the elevator to success. You can’t just go to Dr. Miami and just get Super Bowl rings.'”
Newton’s overall point is that success in the NFL isn’t handed out. It’s earned through years of experience, preparation, and hard work. His story highlights the cutthroat nature of the league, where veterans aren’t necessarily looking to train their successors, especially when they’re still competing themselves.
Joe Flacco Approach to Shedeur Sanders Shows NFL Reality
Flacco, much like Brady, isn’t handing out shortcuts. According to Pro Football Network, Flacco has praised Sanders’ work ethic and desire to learn, but he’s not actively mentoring him. Instead, he’s leading by example, showing Sanders how things should be done at the highest level.
Newton backed Flacco’s stance, saying that young quarterbacks need to figure things out on their own rather than relying on veterans to spoon-feed them information.
The situation between Flacco and Sanders reflects the true competitive nature of the NFL, where rookies are expected to earn their spot rather than expect guidance from the veterans ahead of them.
Why Joe Flacco Could Benefit Shedeur Sanders in the Long Run
While some might see Flacco’s approach as harsh, it could actually be the best thing for Sanders. Learning through observation, asking the right questions, and studying how a veteran operates can be more valuable than direct mentorship.
Sanders, who slid to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is now competing with Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett for the Browns’ starting job. If he embraces the challenge and learns at his own pace, he could prove himself as Cleveland’s quarterback of the future.
While Flacco may not be actively mentoring Sanders, he is still providing invaluable lessons simply by the way he prepares, plays and handles pressure. If Sanders takes advantage of the opportunity, he could emerge even stronger, just as Newton did after realizing that some lessons in football aren’t taught, they’re earned.