Tee Higgins’ mother has publicly expressed her support for Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders as he competes for the starting position. With the Browns preparing for their preseason opener, she shared her backing for Sanders, except when her son faces the Cincinnati Bengals, highlighting the intensity of the AFC North rivalry.
Sanders, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is working hard to prove himself and earn playing time in Cleveland’s quarterback competition. Observing Sanders’ journey through a challenging offseason, Higgins’ mother is motivated to root for the young quarterback’s success.
Sanders is scheduled to start the Browns’ upcoming preseason game, marking an important opportunity to showcase his abilities to coaches and fans alike.
Shedeur Sanders Remains Focused and Unconcerned About QB Competition
As the Browns’ preseason begins, Shedeur Sanders is intent on securing a spot on the roster and competing for the team’s starting quarterback role. The competition includes veterans Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel, making the contest for the position highly competitive.
Despite the pressure, Sanders maintains a calm and determined mindset, avoiding distraction from the quarterback battle. He emphasizes focusing on his own performance rather than speculating about coaching decisions or the depth chart.
“That’s not my place to answer,” Sanders said, via Heavy. “I feel like it’s not in my control, so I’m not even gonna think about that or have that even in my thought process. There’s a lot of people that wanna have the opportunity to be at this level, and I’m here, and I’m thankful to have the opportunity, so, whatever that is it is.” —Shedeur Sanders, Rookie QB
“It doesn’t really faze me. You gotta understand, we came all the way from an HBCU to a Power 5 [conference team], and now we here, so,” he continued. “At this point, you look around, there’s nothing that’s a challenge, I would say.” —Shedeur Sanders, Rookie QB
Success in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers on August 8 could lead to more playing time for Sanders as he seeks to establish himself with the Browns. The regular season begins on September 7 with a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, intensifying the rivalry for Higgins’ family.
Competitive QB Race Could Shape Browns’ 2025 Season
The competition among Sanders, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel is expected to be a defining storyline for the Browns this year. Higgins’ mother’s support for Sanders adds an interesting personal dimension to this NFL narrative, underscoring the connections within the AFC North division.
How Sanders performs during the preseason will be critical for his chances to secure the starting quarterback role. Moreover, his background transitioning from an HBCU to a Power 5 conference team demonstrates his ability to adapt and rise to new challenges, which could impact Cleveland’s performance in the 2025 season.