Shedeur Sanders may have won the game against the Carolina Panthers, but he also took the opportunity to make a statement to Cleveland radio host Tony Grossi, and now Colin Cowherd is offering his take on the situation.
After a solid debut performance, Sanders confronted Grossi in the tunnel, following Grossi’s previous critical comments about the rookie quarterback. In a video captured by Deion Sanders Jr.’s Well Off Media, Sanders calmly addressed Grossi, telling him he hoped the host would have something positive to say about him after the game. The interaction wasn’t aggressive, but it raised eyebrows, and Cowherd took to The Herd to share his thoughts.
Cowherd Slams Sanders for Confronting Grossi: "What Are You Doing?"
On his show, Cowherd didn’t mince words: "There is a video, and it’s not hostile, of Shedeur Sanders, making a point after his first preseason game, of finding a very popular local guy. Tony Grossi. He’s a talk show host, very popular guy. And again, it’s not ugly. I think Shedeur is a good kid. I question his judgment and maturity. But this thing is like, Shedeur, what are you doing? Get out of there. I don’t want you watching Tony Grossi TikTok clips."
Cowherd’s frustration is understandable. While Sanders might be a talented young quarterback with a promising future, his decision to confront Grossi, a local media figure, wasn’t the most mature move. It’s one thing to prove your point on the field, but Sanders needs to learn that in the NFL, handling criticism comes with the territory. Cowherd sees the potential in Sanders, but he questions his judgment, and rightly so.
Sanders’ Impressive Rookie Performance Masks Underlying Questions
The Broncos rookie had a solid debut, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the 30-10 win over the Panthers. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This performance, while impressive, was against a preseason defense, and there are still lingering questions about Sanders’ consistency and long-term potential. Coming into the NFL, Sanders was projected as a first-round pick but ended up falling to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite his impressive athleticism and raw talent, his journey to the NFL hasn’t been smooth. With injuries sidelining Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett, Sanders got his shot to start, but he was still forced to throw against equipment staff members at training camp. This reality check is the harsh truth Sanders must accept as he adjusts to the NFL level.
Colin Cowherd’s Take on Sanders’ NFL Potential: "He's Got the Tools, But..."
Cowherd is a fan of Sanders’ physical tools but remains cautious about his long-term prospects. “I think his traits, the arm, the size, the mobility—they are all there to be a mid-tier NFL quarterback,” Cowherd said. “Dak Prescott level. I think he throws a better ball than Dak. But he’s not great at them. He’s not Cam (Newton), he’s not Big Ben, he’s not Josh Allen, he’s not (Patrick) Mahomes, he’s not (Matthew) Stafford. So he’s gonna have to be better in the other 30 to 40 percent of quarterback play, which is maturity, focus, IQ, film study, pre-snap excellence.”
Cowherd didn’t hold back on comparing Sanders to other quarterbacks, emphasizing that while Sanders may have the physical traits of a successful NFL QB, he will need to vastly improve his decision-making and mental aspects of the game to thrive in the league. "Tom Brady’s traits don’t move at all, doesn’t have a huge arm, but he’s the best ever at the other stuff. Dak Prescott is a C+ throwing the ball in the pocket downfield guy. But Dak is A+++ leadership, IQ, at the podium, film study, pre-snap. Dak is great. If you are not outstanding at the trait stuff, you better be incredible in the mental aspects of the game," Cowherd explained.
Sanders Has a Long Way to Go, But His Performance is a Step in the Right Direction
Despite Cowherd’s critiques, it’s important to note that Sanders has a lot of potential. His accuracy is one of his strongest traits, and he has the ability to make the game look easy at times. But in the NFL, talent alone isn’t enough. Sanders needs to prove that he can be consistent, improve his mental game, and handle the pressure that comes with being a starting quarterback in the league.
The preseason is just the beginning, and Sanders has a lot to prove before he can truly establish himself as Denver’s franchise quarterback. The next few seasons will be critical in determining whether he can become a star or just another missed opportunity for the Broncos.
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