A locker room, in the heart of an NFL training camp, is a microcosm of professional football’s relentless, high-stakes ecosystem. It’s a place where veterans and rookies, superstars and fringe players, coexist under immense pressure. In this environment, every word is weighed, every action is scrutinized. When a perennial All-Pro and the undisputed face of a franchise speaks about a rookie, especially a highly-publicized one, the entire league listens. So when Cleveland Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett was asked about fellow newcomer Shedeur Sanders, the comments were immediately a headline.
“He’s optimistic, he’s funny, he’s lighthearted,” Garrett said. “But he works hard. He takes his craft seriously, and he’s watching what the others are doing and doing it his own way, in which only he can.” The words, while seemingly simple, carry a profound weight. They come from a player who has seen it all, who has lined up against the best quarterbacks in the world, and who understands what it takes to succeed in the NFL. Garrett’s endorsement is not just a polite welcome; it’s a critical assessment and a stamp of approval that resonates throughout the team and beyond.
Shedeur Sanders’ arrival in Cleveland has been a story defined by a rollercoaster of public perception. Once considered a potential first-round pick, he experienced a dramatic fall in the NFL Draft, ultimately landing with the Browns in the fifth round.1 This slide was fueled by a number of factors, including pre-draft critiques about his commitment and personality. For many, his reputation had been built on a narrative of a young man benefiting from his famous father, Deion Sanders, rather than on his own merit. The skepticism was palpable, and the pressure on him to prove his worth has been immense.
In this context, Garrett’s comments are a powerful counter-narrative. They dismantle the preconceived notions and offer a direct, unfiltered look at the player behind the headlines. Garrett’s observation that Sanders is “optimistic” and “lighthearted” speaks to a certain a level of self-assuredness that is often mistaken for arrogance. The NFL is a game of confidence, and a quarterback, in particular, must exude it. But Garrett quickly pivots to the heart of the matter, emphasizing the rookie’s work ethic. “He works hard. He takes his craft seriously.” This is the core of what coaches and veterans look for in a young player. The flash and the flair are nice, but the dedication to the grind is what separates those who last in the league from those who fade away.
Garrett’s insight into Sanders’ unique learning style—”He’s watching what the others are doing and doing it his own way, in which only he can”—is particularly telling. It reveals a quarterback who isn’t just a mimic, but a student of the game who can internalize and adapt. This is the kind of football IQ that can’t be taught; it’s an innate quality that is essential for a signal-caller in the NFL. Garrett, a master of his own craft on the defensive side of the ball, clearly respects this approach. It suggests a level of mental acuity in Sanders that perhaps went overlooked during the pre-draft process.
The relationship between a star defensive player and a rookie quarterback is a unique one, especially in the hothouse environment of training camp. They are, in many ways, adversaries on the practice field, but they are also teammates bound by a common goal. For Garrett, who has spent years perfecting his pass-rushing moves, the opportunity to face a young, talented quarterback in practice is a chance to sharpen his own skills. For Sanders, the chance to go up against a reigning Defensive Player of the Year candidate is an invaluable learning experience. It’s a trial by fire that will undoubtedly accelerate his development.
Garrett’s praise also highlights a more subtle but equally important aspect of the locker room dynamic. It signals that Sanders has earned the respect of his teammates. In a league where “locker room cancer” can be a career-ending label, a young player’s ability to fit in and gain the trust of his peers is paramount. The fact that Garrett, one of the most respected players in the game, is willing to publicly vouch for Sanders speaks volumes about the rookie’s character and his integration into the team.
The Browns’ quarterback room is a fascinating study in contrasts. The veteran presence of Joe Flacco, the reclamation project of Kenny Pickett, the raw talent of Dillon Gabriel, and now the intriguing wild card of Shedeur Sanders. Garrett’s comments come at a time when Sanders is about to get his first taste of NFL action, having been named the starter for the team’s preseason opener. The decision by head coach Kevin Stefanski is not just an opportunity for Sanders to show what he can do on the field, but also a chance for the team to see how he handles the pressures of a live game. The praise from Garrett adds another layer of intrigue, raising the question of whether Sanders can live up to the high expectations that his most prominent teammate is now setting for him.
Ultimately, Garrett’s comments serve as a valuable reminder that the narrative surrounding a player can be a fleeting and often misleading thing. The pre-draft process is a chaotic blend of speculation, anonymous sources, and a few on-field highlights. The reality of a player’s character and potential often only reveals itself once they step into the locker room and onto the practice field. Myles Garrett, with his a few well-chosen words, has provided a window into that reality, suggesting that the Cleveland Browns may have gotten more than they bargained for with their fifth-round pick. He’s optimistic, he’s lighthearted, he’s funny, but more importantly, he’s a hard worker who is serious about his craft. And for a team desperate for stability at the quarterback position, that might be the most optimistic news of all.
