
Chad Johnson Sends Telling Message About Browns' Shedeur Sanders
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The Cleveland Browns have a potential long-term franchise quarterback on their roster. While there is a competition between four different signal callers, Shedeur Sanders has been the most talked about player in the room and has turned a lot of heads already in his short time with the team.
Not only has he turned the heads of the media, Sanders has grabbed attention from his new teammates.
That was evident once again due to former star NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson speaking out with a new story.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns watches practice during organized team activities at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025 in Berea, Ohio.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns watches practice during organized team activities at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025 in Berea, Ohio.
Photo byDuring a segment of "Nightcap," Johnson let it slip that one of the Browns' best players and captains, Denzel Ward, is very high on the rookie quarterback.
Read more: Browns' Shedeur Sanders Doesn't Hold Back Amid QB Competition
"I talked to Denzel Ward...(expletive), I shouldn't say his name. But anyway, I talked to 'some people,' and (Shedeur) looked different. There's a difference when that young bull is out there spinning that ball, you hear me?" Johnson said.
Ward coming out with that kind of a comment is a huge sign of Sanders' talent. The young quarterback has come out and made a statement already after slipping from being a projected first or second round pick to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Entering the 2025 draft, Sanders was viewed as a top quarterback prospect by many. There were questions about his attitude, but he has answered those questions in Cleveland.
Since he came into town, the Browns have seen Sanders work hard and become a sponge. He wants to be great and he wants to be a starter. So far, he has done and said everything right.
Read more: Aaron Rodgers Reveals What Really Happened With Steelers Talks
Whether he starts Week 1 as the starter in Cleveland or not, there is a very good chance that Sanders will see the field this season. Winning over the locker room is a major key for any quarterback who wants to play. Sanders is already doing that.
It will be interesting to see what he's able to do in preseason games. Should he come out and put up big numbers, he might just have a shot at being the season opening starter. While it isn't likely, it certainly isn't impossible.
At the very least, hearing this feedback from Ward bodes well for the Browns' long-term future at the quarterback position.
For more Cleveland Browns and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
NFL writer says 49ers star is on one of the worst contracts in the league
NFL writer says 49ers star is on one of the worst contracts in the league After the San Francisco 49ers selected wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in the first round (No. 25 overall) of the 2020 NFL draft out of Arizona State, he went on to catch 269 passes for 3,931 yards and 25 touchdowns in 62 games over his first four seasons. As he was set to enter the 2024 season on a fifth-year option, Aiyuk held out for a new deal, and he eventually received a massive four-year, $120 million extension that will keep him under contract through the 2028 season. Unfortunately, Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL in the team's Week 7 battle with the Kansas City Chiefs last year, limiting him to just 25 receptions for 374 yards in seven games. Now, as this year is the first of the extension, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox has ranked the contract as the seventh-worst of any in the league entering 2025. "Missed time aside, the deal wasn't great for San Francisco," Knox wrote. "The 49ers were pressured into offering it by Aiyuk's offseason holdout and trade request, but there's no getting around the fact that the 49ers overpaid. "Aiyuk had flashed high-end potential in his first four seasons. ... However, he had yet to establish himself as a top-tier receiver or a perennial Pro Bowler. Desperate to hang onto its playoff-caliber core, San Francisco gave AIyuk a massive four-year deal that still has him as the league's eighth-highest-paid receiver in terms of annual salary. "With all due respect to Auyuk, he's not the NFL's eighth-best wideout. He showed that by failing to live up to his contract, when healthy, this past season... Making this deal even worse is the fact that the 49ers don't have a clean out until 2027, when they can eat $21.2 million in dead money to save $20.2 million in cap space." With the injury coming in the middle of the 2024 season, it's possible that Aiyuk will miss the start of 2025, and even if he returns in time for the opener, it may take him some time to be the player he was prior to the injury. However, if Aiyuk returns and looks like he hasn't missed a step as the team's top wide receiver, not only could he help bring San Francisco back to the postseason this year, but he could also drastically change the perception of the contract. More 49ers: 49ers RB appreciates being coached by "the best in the business"
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
PFF grades for Bears' projected starting defense in 2025
There are high expectations surrounding the Chicago Bears heading into the 2025 season following the hiring of head coach Ben Johnson, who made a huge addition with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who should take this defense to the next level. The Bears made some big additions this offseason along the defensive line, including the free-agent acquisitions of defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (an experienced veteran and proven leader) and edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo (an ascending pass rusher poised to make a leap). They also added some potential playmakers in the 2025 NFL draft, including defensive tackle Shemar Turner, linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II and cornerback Zah Frazier. Advertisement With Allen taking the reins on defense, there's little doubt the unit should prosper behind their new defensive coordinator's aggressive style of defense. But there were some encouraging moments from Chicago's starters last season and for the newcomers joining the fold, as evidenced by Pro Football Focus. PFF grades (2024) for projected starters on Bears defense: EDGE Montez Sweat - 65.6 EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo - 66.1 DT Gervon Dexter Sr. - 70.3 DT Grady Jarrett - 62.1 LB T.J. Edwards - 60.7 LB Tremaine Edmunds - 59.2 CB Jaylon Johnson - 76.2 CB Tyrique Stevenson - 58.9 NCB Kyler Gordon - 76.0 S Kevin Byard - 72.8 S Jaquan Brisker - 65.3 Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: PFF grades for Chicago Bears' projected starting defense in 2025
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Predicting the Ravens' stat leader for every major category in 2025
The Baltimore Ravens were among the league's best as a team in a number of different offensive and defensive rankings last season. From an individual perspective, they similarly had several players rank highly and produce career-best campaigns. As the 2025 season approaches, who will lead the Ravens in the major offensive and defensive statistical areas? Let's break it down with some early predictions. Passing Yards and Passing Touchdowns Prediction: QB Lamar Jackson Advertisement This is self-explanatory, as Jackson will undoubtedly lead the Ravens in every major passing category. The only question is how he'll follow up a historic statistical season in 2024, where he threw a career-best 41 touchdowns with only four interceptions and crossed the 4,000-yard passing mark — while completing 66% of his throws. There's only one possibility of Jackson not leading the team in each passing statistic, which is the worst-case scenario of an extended absence due to injury. Rushing Yards and Rushing Touchdowns Prediction: RB Derrick Henry Similar to above, it's a no-brainer that Henry will pace the Ravens in the major rushing statistical areas. Henry instantly became the team's workhorse last season and rushed for 1,921 yards with 16 touchdowns and a career-high 5.9 yards per carry. He may not be able to quite match these lofty numbers again in 2025, but Henry should once again thrive as the offense's bell cow. Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell are more likely to exceed Henry's receiving production as third-down running backs, but will not come close to his rushing stats. Receiving Yards and Receptions Prediction: WR Zay Flowers Advertisement Flowers comfortably led the team in receiving yards last season, crossing the 1,000-yard threshold in his sophomore campaign while also catching a team-high 74 passes. Between him, Rashod Bateman, Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and newcomer Deandre Hopkins, the Ravens have a lot of mouths to feed in the passing game. However, Flowers has become Jackson's go-to target, and he should continue to build upon his strong campaign in 2024. Flowers figures to continue leading the team in targets, which means he will also pace all pass-catchers in receptions as well. Even if his target share remains the same, Flowers combination of big-play ability and yards-after-the-catch prowess allow him to rack up receiving yardage. Receiving Touchdowns Prediction: TE Isaiah Likely This category is a tougher to predict. Andrews has now long been the team's leading receiving touchdown scorer. Even as his production declined a little in 2024, Andrews recorded a career-high 11 touchdown catches. However, the momentum for a breakout season from Likely continues to build and there very well may be a more even-split between the two at tight end in 2025. Likely caught his own career-best six touchdowns last year with a mix of red zone targets and long scores. He'd need a few more than that next season to match or exceed Andrews and Rashod Bateman's scoring to lead the Ravens in touchdown catches. Jackson may spread the ball around enough for that to happen as his chemistry and connection with Likely takes another step forward. Total Tackles Prediction: ILB Roquan Smith Advertisement It's hard to pick anyone other than Smith, who has long been one of the NFL leaders in total tackles year after year. Last season, he led the Ravens in this category with 154 tackles — well ahead of Kyle Hamilton in second with 107. Smith is heavily involved in all defensive action as the team's anchor in the middle of the field. Tackles for Loss Prediction: DT NNnamdi Madubuike Kyle Van Noy led the team in tackles for loss (TFL) last season with 14, which was the best mark of his career. In 2023, Madubuike's 12 TFL ranked No. 1 on the defense during his breakout season two years ago. Madubuike had only one less tackle for loss last year with 11, so his production in this area has been stable for consecutive seasons now. The two-time Pro Bowler has become a disruptive force, but the Ravens will need him to be especially consistent and wreak havoc this coming season. With Michael Pierce gone, Madubuike is now the veteran leader of the defensive line group. Sacks and Quarterback Hits Prediction: EDGE Odafe Oweh Advertisement Van Noy was also the defensive leader in sacks with another career-high total of 12.5. He ranked two quarterback hits behind Oweh, who racked up a team-high 23. Van Noy should be productive once again but at 33 years old, the Ravens may opt to ration his snaps a bit to keep him fresh later in the season — especially with a plethora of young edge rushers behind him on the depth chart. Oweh appears primed to take another step forward and build upon his 10-sack performance in 2024. He was only 2.5 sacks behind Van Noy last year, so it's not a high mountain to climb for him to lead this category. Interceptions Prediction: S Kyle Hamilton All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey had a career-high six interceptions last season which led all defenders. He was the only player on the Ravens with more than two. However, while Humphrey is a great playmaker, this interception total was a bit of an outlier. as his previous single-season best was three and he totaled six interceptions combined in the previous four seasons from 2020-2023. Hamilton had only one interception last season but recorded four in 2023; and he could have had more in 2024 if not for a couple of drops. Advertisement More from