Brian Hoyer Offers Advice to Shedeur Sanders

Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer has shared some key advice with rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, urging him to “eliminate the bad football” in order to build a successful career moving forward. This guidance comes as Sanders continues to navigate his role as the team’s starting quarterback for the remainder of the season.

Sanders became the third different starter for the Browns this season in Week 12, following Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel. While he has shown promise since taking over, his future with the team remains uncertain. The fifth-round pick was initially overlooked by all 32 NFL teams during the draft, and head coach Kevin Stefanski had initially placed him as the third-string quarterback at the start of the season.

However, in an effort to help Sanders improve, Hoyer has offered his insights based on his own experience. Hoyer, who went undrafted in 2009, enjoyed a 15-year NFL career before retiring after the 2023 season. He played 79 games and started 41, finishing with a 16-25 record, 10,899 yards, 53 touchdowns, and 37 interceptions. In an interview on The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show, Hoyer provided some words of wisdom to Sanders.

“As he progresses, you have to eliminate bad football,” Hoyer said. “The only way to be successful in this league is to eliminate the bad football. When you make that mistake, don’t make it the next time.”

A Promising Start

Sanders was given his first opportunity in the Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, replacing Dillon Gabriel, who suffered a concussion during the second half. He then started the following week and led the Browns to a 24-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Although the team lost their next four games, Sanders showed positive signs throughout the season, including one-score losses to the Tennessee Titans and the Buffalo Bills.

In Week 17, Sanders celebrated his second NFL victory with a strong performance in a 13-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hoyer noted the improvement he saw from Sanders during that game.

“I see improvement, there’s no doubt about it,” Hoyer said. “Now has to come the consistency, because I think if you can eliminate some of those head-scratching plays that he makes and keep stacking the good ones, I think he makes his case for at least having a shot to compete for that starting role next year.”

Performance Stats

This season, Sanders has thrown for 1,289 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He has completed 57.4 percent of his passes and posted a passer rating of 68.5. While he appears to have the starting role locked down for now, that could change next season.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, coach Stefanski may depart the organization at the end of the season. A new coach could push to draft a new quarterback, and the Browns will have two first-round selections in 2026. Regardless of personnel changes, training camp is expected to be competitive in the summer, and Deshaun Watson is also expected to be healthy.

Looking Ahead

As the season comes to a close, the focus will shift to the future of the Browns’ quarterback position. With Hoyer’s guidance and Sanders’ progress, there is hope that the rookie can continue to grow and prove himself as a viable option for the team. However, with potential coaching changes and draft picks on the horizon, the competition for the starting role is likely to remain intense.