The talk of the season for the Browns is “Give Shedeur a chance.” However, Browns HC Kevin Stefanski turns a blind eye when it comes to Shedeur Sanders’ actual development. Although the Browns are 2-5, Shedeur Sanders hasn’t even gotten a single practice rep with the starters. This provoked Deion Sanders’ close family friend, who chimed in and fought for Sanders’ unfair treatment after his emotional message.

In yesterday’s press conference, Kevin Stefanski made it pretty clear that Shedeur Sanders isn’t getting any first-team practice reps with the starters right now. Instead, starting QB Dillon Gabriel is getting all the snaps with the first-string offense. The reasoning is that Gabriel, also a rookie, needs all that time to get comfortable and gel with the starting crew, which is a different plan than when veteran Joe Flacco was the starter. However, that didn’t sit well with Shannon Sharpe.

On October 22nd, Shannon Sharpe hopped onto the Nightcap podcast alongside co-hosts Chad Ochocinco and Iso Joe Johnson. They all talked about Shedeur Sanders not getting a single first-team rep despite the departure of Joe Flacco. Shannon brought up some unwritten practice rules from back in the day (his playing days): “I mean, I think look everywhere I’ve been, even when we had veteran quarterbacks or whatever he get one or two reps, I know, obviously, normally, I don’t know how it was, but we had 10 plays. We ran 10 plays per period. Offense got 10. Defense got 10. Offense got 10 defense got 10.” According to Shannon Sharpe, back in the day, everybody, including backup punters, would get two or three out of 10 reps with the starters. But why can’t Shedeur get a single rep?

Chad Ochocinco weighed in with his perspective: “What would that do?…..Getting one or two reps with the starters is just wasting time. Obviously, on Stefanski’s side, it gives Dillon Gabriel some type of security.” Even though Dillon Gabriel is playing average football – 5 games, 3 touchdowns, 546 yards – Kevin Stefanski is hell-bent on not giving Shedeur Sanders a chance.

They also talked about how giving Dillon Gabriel all the reps could make him feel more comfortable and secure in his position, which is fine, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of the team’s preparation or Shedeur’s development, especially when you’re preparing to face strong defenses like the Patriots, who will sit on short routes and expose any inexperience.

Sharpe clarified that he’s not saying the reps should be split evenly, but that Shedeur should at least get one or two reps: “Like I said, Joe, I agree with you. I’m not saying, oh Joe, you split it five and five, but he can’t get one or two reps in a 10-play series?” Ocho agrees with Shannon, and keeping Shedeur on the sideline during valuable starter reps doesn’t make sense for his growth or for the team’s long-term success. Because in the NFL, being ready for anything is everything.

So how is Shedeur coping with all this? By putting God first.

Shedeur Sanders’ emotional message after getting snubbed

Shedeur Sanders isn’t stressed about not getting the reps at all. The former Colorado gunslinger has put his faith in God and is waiting for the fruits of patience during these uncertain times. He said, “The greatest lesson I’ve learned through it all is not to worry but to lean on and trust GOD in every situation.” This faith helps him stay calm and stress-free, knowing, “No matter what, GOD has the final say over my life.”

Shedeur also gave props to his family’s strong values for helping him persevere through challenges: “I’m able to persevere through trials because I come from a family built on morals, values, and unshakable principles.” For him, real success is about who you become while waiting on “GOD’s timing.”

Though he’s not starting yet, reports say Sanders is improving fast. Mary Kay Cabot from cleveland.com said he “has been making a ton of progress” and “looks really good” in drills, sometimes even outplaying Dillon Gabriel in red zone and pocket work. Sanders just needs to stay ready because, as they say, when it rains, it pours — his chance could come anytime.