Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is taking heat for what many viewed as an over-the-top taunt during Sunday’s 31-29 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Sanders put up gaudy numbers against Tennessee, throwing for 364 yards and piling up four total touchdowns. He nearly engineered a late rally, but Cleveland ultimately fell short and dropped to 3-10 on the season.
What Sanders lacks in NFL experience, he makes up for in confidence — and he wasn’t shy about displaying it. After firing a touchdown strike to tight end David Njoku, the rookie quarterback went right at Titans Pro Bowl lineman Jeffery Simmons, flashing his signature watch-flex celebration. The moment fired up the crowd in the stadium but didn’t sit well with everyone.
“Shedeur is doing celly’s while taking L’s to the worst team in football,” one fan said. “Great look rookie.”
“Savage for sure but this is what bugs me about him. Get the W then claim it. And I’m a fan of his,” another said.
Others questioned why it wasn’t a taunting flag and anticipated that Sanders could face a fine for his actions.
“Knowing how the league works, they’ll promote it on the official league account, then fine him his entire game check,” a fan said.
“Is this not by definition a taunt?” another added. “Like I love how (expletive) of a penalty it is that it’s just completely subjective based on the flavor of the year.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Earns Respect of Panthers Star Jeffery Simmons
The Titans and Simmons got their revenge on Sanders in the second half. Sanders hit Dillon Sampson on a pass but he fumbled along the sideline. After the play, Simmons and the rest of the defense all did Sanders’ celebration in the end zone.
The jawing with Simmons remained good-natured, and the Titans star acknowledged Sanders’ performance with praise afterward.
“He has been a competitor all his life. I’m a fan of his family, especially with Deion,” Simmons said. “I knew he was a competitor. That’s why you saw the pre-draft things with him and Cam (Ward). You know he’s a competitor that’s going to talk smack. I love it. I told him. We talked throughout the game. That’s his team now. He’s going to be a star in this league. He’s already a star. You enjoy playing against a guy like that, who can give you lip and smack talk back. But you also have to let him know he’s still a rookie. It was fun to be able to smack-talk but still respect the game.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Embracing Challenge
Sanders fell to 1–2 as Cleveland’s starter with the defeat, but he continued to show enough to merit a longer look as the Browns evaluate their long-term quarterback plan — particularly with two first-round picks looming in next year’s draft. He’s stepped into a leadership role and hasn’t shied away from the difficult road it took to get there.
“I’m comfortable being uncomfortable. You got to understand, that’s just kind of like the situation I’m in, and I’m fine with that, I love that,” Sanders said. “My story and everything inspires people to make sure, even if they’re in uncomfortable positions and situations, to stay on course, keep that mental strength, and be able to push through adversity, knowing that you’ll be able to see the other side one day. So that’s kind of what it is.”
Sanders and the Browns have a chance next week to get back on track as they hit the road to take on the Chicago Bears.
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