Shedeur Sanders’ NFL debut weekend didn’t exactly unfold the way many expected. The highly-touted rookie quarterback was inactive for the Cleveland Browns’ season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, and instead of stepping onto the field, he found himself under the spotlight for an entirely different reason.
Cameras caught him on the sideline wearing a backwards hat and a pair of sunglasses, a look that quickly stirred up debate across the football world. For some, it was nothing more than a young player showing off his personal style.
But others saw it as a distraction, especially in the middle of a tough divisional matchup that ended in a disappointing loss for Cleveland. The Browns fell 16-17 to the Bengals, and with the game slipping away, the sight of Sanders looking laid-back on the sideline became easy fodder for critics.
While dissecting Shedeur Sanders’ look on ESPN Cleveland, Aaron Goldhammer didn’t hold back. He claimed that the Browns fans think Sanders planned it perfectly to get a cool shot of himself. Goldhammer then went on to give him some advice.
“On the sideline, with the backwards hat, sunglasses, and the whole look of it, I would just remind Shedeur, lock in on the game,” Goldhammer said. “Watch the game. Learn from the game.”
“On the sideline, with the backwards hat, sunglasses, and the whole look of it, I would just remind Shedeur, lock in on the game,” – @HammerNation19 had some advice for Shedeur Sanders…
Rizz and Paw were not having it with this take 🤣 pic.twitter.com/EFsgwPe2Sy
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) September 9, 2025
Aaron Goldhammer said that there was a stark difference between Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the way they were watching the game from the sideline. While Gabriel was observing the game with no theatrics, Sanders was trying to make a style statement.
Catherine Hickman Explained Browns’ Quarterback Evaluation Process
The Cleveland Browns quarterback saga has been one of the highlights of the season so far. Spoiled for choice, the Browns were constantly discussed in the media for their QB lineup selections.
To add context to the matter, assistant general manager Katherine Hickman recently explained how the Browns assess their QBs.
“That’s what makes our job fun and hard, I’d say,” Hickman said when asked about the QB evaluation process. “I’d say I just go back to like the plan that we have in place for these guys when it comes to developing is acquiring as many valuable data points as we can. Now we know these things take time.”
Asst. GM Catherine Hickman on how they evaluate quarterbacks:
“I’d say just go back to the plan we have in place… acquiring as many valuable data points as we can.”
Does anybody actually speak football in this f*cking organization? pic.twitter.com/gfk56iK2ZN
— Roberto Shenanigans (@Rob_Shenanigans) September 2, 2025
As for the results of their decisions, Hickman said that she or anyone else in the organization can’t predict how the future will pan out. She stated that she doesn’t have a crystal ball to see what the results of their decisions will be.
Jason Whitlock ridiculed her for being clueless on the job. Some fans on the internet also had harsh words for her, but in this sport, coaches and GMs put their best foot forward based on their assessments.
Read More:
Calls Mount From Fans To Start Shedeur Sanders As Browns Lose Week 1 Matchup vs Joe Burrow’s Bengals
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