The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition took an interesting turn after a difficult preseason opener against the Chicago Bears. Shedeur Sanders showed his arm strength, but also made a costly mistake that left plenty to be discussed among experts.
With the battle for Cleveland’s starting job still open, the noise around the young quarterback is only getting louder. His mother, Pilar Sanders, has now sent a simple message for him as he prepares for his next opportunity.
Pilar Sanders Tells Shedeur Sanders to Ignore the Noise and Stay Locked In
Pilar Sanders addressed her son’s situation after Cleveland’s 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears on Saturday.
She shared a clip from the game on her Instagram Story and paired it with a direct message: “Focus on your Focus. Nevermind the chit chatter.”
The timing was important because Shedeur had just delivered a subpar performance in his first preseason appearance of 2026. He entered after halftime and completed 6 of 11 passes for 79 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception.
The turnover came early in the fourth quarter when his pass over the middle sailed beyond Malachi Corley and landed with Bears defensive back Beanie Bishop Jr.
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Still, the performance was not without positives. Sanders handled pressure better than he often did during his rookie season and connected with Luke Floriea for a 35-yard completion on a third-and-13 play. His outing ultimately failed to produce points, but the Browns have not changed their plan for the quarterback competition.
Deshaun Watson opened the game and completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards without an interception. He was strip-sacked once, but his more consistent performance gave him an early advantage in the competition.
Head coach Todd Monken, however, continues to split opportunities between the two quarterbacks to test who can improve the Browns’ offense, which ranked last in PFN NFL Offense Impact Rankings in 2025.
This means Sanders does not have to wait long for a response. He is scheduled to start the first half against the Buffalo Bills on August 22, giving him an important chance to work with Cleveland’s first-team offense.
Pilar’s message comes at a fitting moment. Sanders has faced intense attention since falling to the Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Now, with his starting opportunity still within reach, the next test will be how he responds when Cleveland faces Buffalo.
