Donald Trump Shares High Praise for Shedeur Sanders After 1st Browns Start
United States of America President Donald Trump was impressed with Shedeur Sanders in his first start with the Cleveland Browns.
In the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, Trump made it clear that he felt Sanders was a franchise quarterback. Yet, he fell to the fifth round when the Browns took him.
On Sunday, Sanders made his first NFL start as Dillon Gabriel was in concussion protocol. The rookie quarterback played well as he helped the Browns beat the Las Vegas Raiders 24-10 on the road.
After his solid performance, Trump took to social media on Monday morning to praise Sanders after leading the Browns to a road win.
President Donald Trump on Shedeur Sanders 1st start:
“I told you so”
“Shedeur Sanders was GREAT. Wins first game, career start, as a pro (for Cleveland). Great Genes. I TOLD YOU SO!,” Trump wrote.
It’s high praise from the President, who thought Sanders played great and showed he can be a starting quarterback in the NFL.
In the Browns’ win, Sanders went 11-of-20 for 209 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
Sanders Was ‘Thankful’ for Trump’s Support After NFL Draft
Entering the NFL Draft, Sanders had hopes of being a first-round pick.
Yet, the rookie quarterback fell to the fifth round, and Trump was critical of NFL teams for not drafting him sooner.
“What is wrong with NFL owners, are they STUPID?” Trump wrote on Truth Social on April 25. “Deion Sanders was a great college football player, and was even greater in the NFL. He’s also a very good coach, streetwise and smart!
“Therefore, Shedeur, his quarterback son, has PHENOMENAL GENES, and is all set for Greatness. He should be ‘picked’ IMMEDIATELY by a team that wants to WIN. Good luck, Shedeur, and say hello to your wonderful father!”
After Trump defended Sanders, the quarterback said at the Browns’ rookie minicamp that he was thankful for the support.
“I was truly thankful for it,” Sanders said. “Including him, there were a lot of fans, a lot of people in barbershops, a lot of hairstylists. A lot of fans of me, my craft and my family that were there in support. I was thankful that I have that foundation.”
Sanders started the year as the Browns’ third-string quarterback but could now be the starter.
Browns Not Committing to Sanders at QB
Despite Sanders helping the Browns beat the Raiders on Sunday, head coach Kevin Stefanski isn’t sure he will remain the starter.
Sanders only started because Gabriel was in concussion protocol, and after the game, Stefanski wouldn’t confirm the team would remain with Sanders.
“I’m not going to get into that,” Stefanski said postgame on Sunday. “Obviously, proud of him and proud of this offense, and there are a ton of things to learn from, but I’m just going to worry about today.”
Stefanski said he’s going to take his time to do what is best for the team. Sanders, however, believes that if he’s the starting quarterback, the Browns’ offense can be dangerous.
“I think I showed a couple of great pieces. There’s some things I wish I could get back,” Sanders told CBS Sports sideline reporter Tiffany Blackmon. “But man, a win is crazy. It’s amazing, you know, after one week of practice. … So imagine, you know, what a full offseason look like. It get dangerous.”
The Browns will host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
The Broncos have endured a nine-season Super Bowl drought - The Broncos and the Race to Escape the Darkness After Manning
No sporting event can match the Super Bowl. It’s the biggest annual event in sports, and frankly, in culture. Television ratings don’t lie on that front. Of course, if you win the Super Bowl, you are also NFL champs. If you don’t win a Super Bowl for a while, you have a proper title drought. Here is a look at the title droughts for every NFL team, from the ones that aren’t really droughts to the major droughts. One note: some teams won titles before the Super Bowl was established, and we factored those into the drought lengths as well.
Denver Broncos - nine seasons
Peyton Manning closed his career with a win in the 50th Super Bowl. He had to be carried to that Super Bowl by the coaching staff and the Broncos’ defense, but it gave the team its third title. Things seem to be percolating under Sean Payton, but the Broncos are close to a decade-long run without a title, which feels like a proper drought.
Super Bowl 50 was a fitting curtain call for Peyton Manning, even if his arm wasn’t what it used to be. That Broncos team was a defensive juggernaut, with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware leading a unit that practically dragged the offense across the finish line. It was a gritty, old-school kind of championship, and it capped off Denver’s third Lombardi Trophy.
Since then, though? It’s been a long, dry spell. The Broncos went nearly a decade without even making the playoffs until Sean Payton arrived and helped end that drought last season. Now, with Bo Nix showing promise at quarterback and Payton building a roster with youth, trench strength, and a culture-first mentality, there’s a real sense of momentum in Denver.
Payton’s not shy about his ambitions either—he’s openly said this is his seventh team he believes can win a Super Bowl. That kind of confidence, paired with a revamped roster and a fresh offensive identity, has fans cautiously optimistic. But in a division ruled by the Chiefs for nearly a decade, optimism alone won’t cut it.
The Broncos are betting on him to finally dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC West
Bo Nix has quickly emerged as a promising franchise quarterback for the Denver Broncos, injecting new life into a team that has long searched for stability under center. After years of post-Manning uncertainty, Nix’s arrival marked a turning point. His rookie season showcased not only impressive statistics—nearly 3,800 passing yards and 29 touchdowns—but also poise, leadership, and adaptability beyond his years. He demonstrated dual-threat capability, extending plays with his legs and making smart decisions under pressure.
What sets Nix apart is his maturity and football IQ, traits that resonate strongly with head coach Sean Payton’s system. Payton, known for developing quarterbacks, has built a scheme that complements Nix’s strengths: quick reads, accurate throws, and mobility. The Broncos’ offense has become more dynamic, and their playoff return signals a shift in trajectory.
While challenges remain—especially in a division dominated by Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs—Nix’s development offers hope. If he continues to grow and the team builds around him, Denver could be on the cusp of a new era. In a league where quarterback play defines success, Bo Nix has the tools, mindset, and support to become the cornerstone of the Broncos’ future. The franchise may finally have found its long-awaited answer.
