Browns' Shedeur Sanders reveals mindset ahead of pivotal joint practice with Bills

Reports from this week indicated that second-year Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders may have to produce the best performances of his young NFL career during Thursday's joint practice with the Buffalo Bills and in Saturday's home preseason game against the Bills to possibly win the starting job over veteran Deshaun Watson. 

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Sanders indicated that it's business as usual heading into Thursday's session.

Shedeur Sanders keeping "same approach" with starting job on the line

"Mindset heading into the practice? I would say the same approach we have every practice that we go to," Sanders explained, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "Go out there, get completions, run the offense the right way, and that's the main focus."

Watson allegedly ended the Browns' preseason opener at the Chicago Bears on Aug. 15 leading the competition for the Week 1 QB1 gig. He started what became Cleveland's 34-10 loss to Chicago, and he completed 11-of-15 passes for 126 yards with no touchdowns, no interceptions and a lost fumble. Later in the afternoon, Sanders went 6-of-11 passing for 79 yards and an awful interception. 

Shedeur Sanders feeling no extra "anxiety" during final days of QB competition

Following the Bears game, first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken hinted that he may not name a starter before Cleveland's preseason finale against the New England Patriots on Aug. 27. However, Oyefusi noted that Monken could use the Patriots game "as a dress rehearsal," which would lead one to believe Sanders could be relegated to QB2 duties by the time the final Wednesday of August arrives. 

Nevertheless, Sanders seems to be doing all he can to remain focused on what he can control. 

"I'll say every day of my life's important," Sanders added during his comments. "Every day's important. I want to say it's [not] a day that's not important. So that's just another day going out there doing what I got to do, honestly. I don't really feel anxiety or any pressure going into things like that anymore, because that's how I approach everything. So, it's just another day of going to work. That's all it is for me."

Sanders is on track to start Saturday's game against the Bills, but starters from both teams could be held out for the contest. Thus, it's possible that Sanders won't receive a legitimate opportunity to close the gap in the competition for the starting job unless Watson is responsible for multiple nightmare performances through Saturday afternoon.