Shedeur Sanders was projected to be a starting quarterback by this point in the NFL season, but after slipping to No. 144 in the draft, he currently sits as QB3 for the Cleveland Browns, watching from the bench despite a team quarterback change.
Meanwhile, several other teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals, are struggling under center. NBA star Damian Lillard recently weighed in, urging one of these franchises to consider a bold move involving Sanders.
Damian Lillard Calls for Bold Move Involving Shedeur Sanders
Lillard, an Oakland native and diehard Raiders fan, is growing frustrated with Geno Smith’s performance under center. The Raiders made several high-profile moves during the offseason, including hiring Pete Carroll as head coach, trading for Smith, and drafting Ashton Jeanty, decisions that many called game-changing.
But after five weeks, Las Vegas sits at 1-4, coming off a 40-6 showing against the Indianapolis Colts. Smith has struggled, ranking among the few quarterbacks with more interceptions than touchdowns, and Lillard believes it’s time for a shake-up.
His solution? A trade for Sanders. On X, Lillard wrote: “Time to gone ahead and trade for shedeur man smfh.”
Time to gone ahead and trade for shedeur man smfh
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) October 5, 2025
When a fan suggested that Smith might be “washed,” Lillard clarified: “He not washed… he just turning the ball over. But it’s time to get shedeur on the team and get ready for the future.”
This isn’t the first time Sanders has been linked to the Raiders. Before the draft, there was speculation that Las Vegas might select him sixth overall or even trade up to secure him. Instead, the Raiders went with Smith and drafted Jeanty in the first round.
In the preseason, Sanders started and saw action against the Carolina Panthers. He showed an ability to make tight-window completions. The 23-year-old played most of the contest, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-10 Browns victory.
Originally the QB4 in Cleveland, Sanders moved up the depth chart after Kenny Pickett’s trade to the Raiders. While he is arguably a better option than Pickett, Las Vegas has already invested significant assets in Smith and Pickett, so it remains unclear whether they are willing to spend more on another quarterback.
A likely scenario would involve starting Pickett, and if he struggles, exploring a potential trade for Sanders.
Through five games, Smith has thrown nine interceptions to six touchdowns and ranked 24th in PFSN’s QB Impact metric heading into this week. While there’s still time for Smith to turn things around, the Raiders likely won’t wait long before evaluating other options, and with Lillard and the rest of the fanbase urging action, all eyes will be on how Las Vegas responds in the coming weeks.