Shedeur Sanders not being selected by the Las Vegas Raiders was criticized by numerous NFL players and analysts. However, with Geno Smith as their new starting quarterback, things seem to be looking up for the team for their performance in the upcoming NFL season. Last month, the Raiders signed Smith to a two-year deal with a guaranteed $66.5 million.
In a recent episode of his podcast ‘The Rush Podcast, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, responded to criticism that his team might not have made the best decision in skipping out on draft picks like Shedeur Sanders and Ashton Jeanty.
“Man, y’all could’ve had Ashton Jeanty and Shedeur Sanders. Oh my God,” Maxx Crosby’s co-host on ‘The Rush’ podcast said.
“We got Geno, bro.” Maxx Crosby responded.
Geno Smith IS the answer! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/772XG3YmXO
— The Rush Podcast (@TheRushWithMaxx) May 28, 2025
“He’s 34 but quarterback ages different. He’s gonna be here for a while, bringing Pete in. Spytek and Brady and all of them, they have a specific vision of what they want. And so we’re all in on that. So I like how we drafted bro, we got some dawgs.” Crosby continued defending his team’s decision to bring in Geno Smith, instead of someone like Shedeur Sanders.
While Shedeur Sanders may not have made it to the Las Vegas Raiders team, the talented quarterback made it to the Cleveland Browns squad after being selected as the 144th pick in the fifth round of the NFL draft. Before making it to the NFL, Sanders split his college football career between the Jackson State Tigers and the Colorado Buffaloes.
Shedeur Sanders In Competition With Joe Flacco And Kenny Pickett For QB1
On another note, Shedeur Sanders may be facing competition even before he has played his first game in the NFL. Sanders is apparently in competition with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett for the position of starting quarterback with the Cleveland Browns.
Sanders will be playing his very first season with the Browns soon, and as a rookie, it is quite unlikely that the team will choose him above others like Flacco for the starting quarterback position. However, several NFL analysts and game experts have stated that there is a huge possibility of the Browns choosing Sanders as QB1, at least for a few games.
The Cleveland Browns will be opening their 2025 NFL season with a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals and then going on to take on the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns will be eager to do better after their season last year, when they finished at the bottom of the AFC North with three wins and 14 defeats.
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