The Cleveland Browns shook up the football world earlier this week when Kevin Stefanski officially named Dillon Gabriel the team’s new starting quarterback. The announcement made waves across the NFL landscape, not only because of what it means for the Browns’ playoff hopes. But also because of how it reshaped the quarterback depth chart in Cleveland. With Gabriel elevated and Joe Flacco stepping down to backup, fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders remained in the same position, the QB3 spot.
When reporters gathered around Sanders for post-practice questions, they didn’t exactly get what they expected. Instead of his usual charismatic and confident responses, Sanders delivered his answers in what can only be described as a muted fashion—literally. The audio from the session barely picked up his words, leaving journalists frustrated and fans confused. Social media quickly turned the clip into viral content, with critics calling Sanders unprofessional, aloof, or simply not ready for the spotlight.
While the NFL world lined up to take shots at the young quarterback, one veteran voice stepped forward in his defense.
McCarthy Stands Behind Sanders
Former Dallas Cowboys head coach and Super Bowl champion Mike McCarthy took a different stance, suggesting that the moment wasn’t something worth blowing out of proportion.
Talking to Pat McAfee on the show, McCarthy said, “We want the personalities of everybody in our locker room structure, rules, and how we wanna operate within our culture.” He also added, “We want everybody to be themselves because everybody will be the best version of themselves.” Mid interview, McCarthy asked Pat McAfee, “Is that the first time it’s ever happened, an interview without any audio? You gotta give them some kudos.” And McAfee replied, “Multiple questions, multiple questions.” They laughed at this moment.
However, McCarthy continued, “Yeah, but I personally don’t think that stuff’s a huge deal, unless it’s an issue in the locker room. And I think a lot of things in life, we all probably need to learn how to laugh a little bit more. So, that’s how it hit me when I first saw the video.” It was a refreshing counter to the flood of criticism.
Backlash on Shedeur Sanders After Viral Miming Moments
One of the most heated comments was from former NFL head coach and analyst Rex Ryan. After Sanders’ muted video went viral, Ryan reacted to the video, saying, “Something’s missing with this kid. This kid talks, and he runs his mouth. Like he said, ‘I can be a starting quarterback’ with his arms crossed like this.” Ryan added, “Get your [expletive] in the front row and study and do all that. If I know, the whole league knows. Quit being an embarrassment that way. You’ve got the talent to be the quarterback- you should be. You should be embarrassed that you’re not the quarterback now.”
This was the strongest backlash on Sanders’ muted comment, which followed Shedeur’s comments on his quarterback play. A few days back, to the Browns’ decision of starting Dillon Gabriel, Sanders had said,“If you see the quarterback play in the league right now, I know I’m capable of doing better than that.” So, that’s why Rex Ryan wanted him to remember what he said.
McCarthy seemed to be reminding the league that young players deserve the space to make mistakes. Or, let’s say, in this case, deliver a quirky press conference moment, without having their reputations shredded. His point underscored the reality that not every headline-worthy clip is an actual problem inside the locker room.
For Sanders, the attention is nothing new. As the son of Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, he has carried expectations and scrutiny since his college days at Colorado. But in the midst of the Browns’ quarterback shuffle, his muted presser became an easy target. McCarthy’s comments, however, reframed it. Maybe it wasn’t a disaster at all, maybe it was just a rare moment in a long season where the league could afford to smile instead of scold.
The entire episode highlights just how much pressure young quarterbacks face in today’s NFL. Every word, every gesture, and every media appearance is dissected, often more intensely than their actual on-field performance. But it is necessary to some extent, though.
For rookies like Sanders, that spotlight can feel overwhelming, especially when their careers are just beginning. McCarthy’s defense served as a reminder that not every moment requires outrage. And that sometimes, letting athletes grow into their roles is the best way to ensure they succeed in the long run.