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Shedeur Sanders Gets Blunt Advice From Ex-NFL MVP

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated May 1, 2025 2:01 PM ET

As everyone continues to examine Shedeur Sanders' draft fall, Cam Newton explained how the rookie quarterback should respond.

Although he hoped to go early in the first round as an instant franchise-changer, Sanders instead went to the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. He'll compete with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and third-round selection Dillon Gabriel in a crowded Cleveland quarterback room.

Newton can't relate to this specific situation, as the Carolina Panthers took him with the No. 1 pick in 2011. However, the Heisman Trophy winner urged Sanders to move past the humbling draft outcome

"You got drafted, bro," Newton said on his 4th&1 podcast. "All this is in the past. Now you can dictate what you deem to be the person that you know you can be."

The 2015 MVP offered Sanders simple advice on how to win over his Browns teammates and change the narratives surrounding his perceived attitude.

"Lead with work, not clout," Newton said.

Newton pantomimed the young quarterback's watch flex as an example of how Sanders shouldn't conduct himself when joining the Browns. Essentially, Newton told Sanders that actions speak louder than words.

"If you're legendary like you say you are, this is how you prove it," Newton said. "Don't lead with the chains. Don't lead with the cars. Don't lead with the aura of content and this/that. Man, if you want to win people over, you win them over by working."

Newton also advised Sanders not to "play the victim." He noted that thousands of undrafted players would gladly sign up for an opportunity to earn playing time as a Day 3 pick.

Had the Browns drafted Sanders fifth overall, he'd likely enter camp as a QB1 front-runner. Instead, the 23-year-old faces an uphill battle to win the starting job.

Newton believes that's a great way for Sanders to repair his reputation and prove any doubters wrong.

"This is the best situation for Shedeur," Newton said. "Because he has to claw his way to the top. Does he have the capabilities of doing it? Absolutely. And if I'm in his camp, I'm telling him, 'Bro, let's get to work.'"

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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