Shedeur Sanders’ arrival in Cleveland hasn’t been without controversy. Despite a strong showing at OTAs and minicamp, some critics have already labeled him a “distraction.” But on a recent appearance on “Glory Daze” with Johnny Manziel, one of the NFL’s fiercest competitors came to his defense, offering perspective rooted in personal experience.
Maxx Crosby Defends Shedeur Sanders Amid ‘Distraction’ Narrative
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, who entered the league as a fourth-round pick himself, didn’t shy away from the current perception surrounding Sanders. While acknowledging the chatter, he dismissed the narrative as misplaced.
“͏I think he’s handled it the ͏right way,” Crosby said. “People have their certain opinions, you’re Dei͏on͏ Sander͏s͏’ son, he’s got ͏a͏ big ͏personality, bigger than life, he’s got his jewelry, he’s ͏got this, and ͏you know ͏people just automatically put him ͏in a ͏box that he’s a͏ distraction, not ͏a good ͏kid͏,͏ things like ͏that ͏and I͏ ͏think that’s unfair.”
The quote reflects Crosby’s broader concern with how athletes, especially high-profile rookies, are judged more for perception than performance. Sanders’ style and persona have drawn scrutiny, but Crosby emphasized what really matters: proving oneself on the field.
“It really doesn’t matter,” Crosby continued. “At the end of the day you get drafted, that’s all that matters.”
Sanders’ path to Cleveland has already been humbling. Once a projected top-10 pick, he fell all the way to pick No. 144 in the 2025 NFL Draft. That drop landed him fourth on the Browns’ depth chart, behind names like Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. While this may seem discouraging, Crosby believes it is an opportunity if Sanders handles it correctly.
“You could be the No. 1 overall pick or the last pick,” Crosby noted. “Brock Purdy was Mr. Irrelevant. He just got paid $265 million, so all that stuff doesn’t matter.”
Crosby encouraged Sanders to keep his attention solely on football and establish leadership within the locker room. Crosby said if Sanders manages to do that, “he’s going to have a chance to compete.”
The veteran pass-rusher did not sugarcoat the reality, either. He made it clear that Sanders’ draft position means there is less room for error.
“His leash is a little bit shorter now, being a fifth-round pick, and he’s got to earn it,” said Crosby.
Still, he framed that challenge as something that could work in Sanders’ favor long term.
With Deshaun Watson’s health still uncertain and the Browns navigating a tough early-season schedule, Sanders could realistically see the field. Whether that is sooner or later, Crosby’s message remains the same: ignore the noise, embrace the grind and let the work speak louder than the headlines.