QB Shedeur Sanders (11.4.26)
When did you first get the news that you might possibly be in line to start, and how are you approaching this week?
“I would say the same time you all got the news.”
So how are you going about…what’s your mindset going into this week?
“The same way I’ve been preparing every week. No different.”
In that regard, last year you kind of went through a similar thing, backup and then thrust into the starting job. How much did that experience, or how much is it the fact that you don’t change the way you prepare, helped you in this situation?
“Well, first, I definitely want to thank just the whole coaching staff and Andrew Berry, and everybody a part of the organization, for giving me another chance to be here for this year, this season and everything. Last year, I was able to see what I needed to see, feel different things during the games and understand what I need to get better at. So, then going into this offseason, we worked on that, and training camp, of course, in this offseason, and overall, I’m just excited for the opportunity.”
Shedeur, you’ve had now two instances where you’ve had to hop in a game. First time was just for a play. Last weekend, I think it was for four plays. What do you take from that experience? How does that help you? What do you learn from it? And how did you feel in that situation?
“I’m comfortable with the ball in my hands in general, so, just go in there, do what I have to do, play the long game, win everything and just be excited to get out there.”
How does this offensive system fit you?
“We’re in, like, week seven, and we’re talking about how the offensive system fitting me? We could have figured that out in training camp.”
Shedeur, we talked to KC (Concepcion Jr.) and asked him about the reps he got with you in the offseason and training camp. How valuable do you think that was going into this week for you?
“I would definitely say it was important. It was valuable. Just tapping back into that memory bank, having those reps and everything. That’s why I’m thankful for this whole offseason and everything, and just being out there with the guys each and every day, being able to still get throws in with them. So, I don’t think we lost a step.”
Shedeur, there was a lot said during training camp about how you have gotten better from last year to this year and working through things. How has that development continued for you in the regular season despite you not taking the first team reps?
“I guess we’ll see. I guess we’ll see.”
This is the first time we’ve had to talk to you since the process of hiring an agent. Was that just a natural development in your career?
“What’s that have to do with this game?”
Nothing.
“Oh. I’m focused on this game. Anything else really doesn’t matter at this point.”
Well, speaking about this game, Shedeur, have you had an opportunity yet, I know it’s happening fast, have you had a chance to study the Saints’ defense yet a little bit? And what are you seeing so far?
“Yeah, I’ve seen a lot. When I smile, just know that means something. I’m maturing. I’m maturing. Like, I could have given a decent answer, but now I’m just going to smile whenever it’s just, like, some questions.”
So, you’ve seen this offense now in the regular season for eight games. So, in your role, what do you have to do for it to be successful?
“Just go out there and trust my teammates, trust the game plan and do everything I can.”
This offensive line, how have you noticed just kind of watching them get better over the course of the first seven games, and what do you have to do to communicate with them this week as you’re getting ready for maybe the differences in your game compared to what Deshaun (Watson) might do?
“I think we all have a great relationship with them, so I don’t think… I think to the outside world, it’s way more complex than what it is. I think as a team and everybody in the locker room, we all feel the same way when it comes to the bond and when it comes to the companionship and everything. And Deshaun led us this far, and it’s unfortunate he wasn’t able to go out there. But on my end, I just have to step up for the quarterback room, for the team, and do what I have to do.”
What can you do, Shedeur, to get this offense going earlier in the game than it has so far?
“Just my job. I don’t think it’s been bad, how many wins do we have? It can’t be that bad. So, I don’t think… I don’t want to just come in here and just try to discredit Deshaun and everything he’s done. That won’t make me feel good as a person. I think it’s just doing my job, not doing too much. Doing what I have to do.”
How do you establish your own tempo, pace, rhythm early in the game to get yourself and the offense rolling the way you want?
“You all are asking questions I probably didn’t even think about, to be honest. So, I really don’t have an answer to that.”
How does this week change for you from a mindset perspective-
“Nothing changes.”
Okay. Does it, from an excitement perspective, change, knowing you could be out there?
“I would say I had a lot of ups and downs in my life so far, even though I’m only 24. So, I tend to not even get really too excited when it comes to things. I’ve always been the same. I’ve always been very relaxed when it comes to things like this and other things just in life in general. So, I’m not really trying to ride the roller coaster of life. I like to keep everything even.”
How difficult is the role of a backup quarterback in the NFL knowing how much of a competitor you are and how much you want to be out there helping the team win versus just kind of waiting for your time?
“Yeah, I think I just come and do my job and learn everything I can and why I do that.”
Off of that, how have you been able to support and sort of help Deshaun throughout this season while he’s been starting?
“I would say how I’ve been able to help him, I’ll say, he’s a vet. So, if he asks any questions, he’s got another set of eyes that could validate certain things. But I think that’s just something for him to speak on. I don’t really want to input with what I have done because then I’ll be taking the credit. You know what I’m saying? Like, that doesn’t make sense.”
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