In addition to winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year Award, quarterback Shedeur Sanders had a stellar collegiate career and placed eighth in the 2024 Heisman Trophy vote. However, he was not selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
The quarterbackFrom winning the SEC Offensive Player of the Year Award at Alabama in 2016 to placing second in the Heisman Trophy voting at Oklahoma in 2019, Jalen Hurts had a stellar collegiate career as well. However, he was also not selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Hurts, however, has guided Philadelphia to two of the last three Super Bowls as he gets ready for his sixth NFL season, and the Eagles won the 2024 league championship game.
Sanders had a chance to speak with Hurts in person during a joint practice with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday, ahead of their NFL preseason game on Saturday.
On April 26, Sanders was selected by Cleveland in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
When the majority of the other practice players had gone to the showers following Wednesday’s session, Sanders remained on the field to speak with Hurts.
Hurts remarked, “We had a very long conversation.” He approached me and simply wanted to talk, and like I mentioned before, I’m always available to share my thoughts on what I observe and how I’ve approached situations. And in the end, it requires a lot of perseverance, hard work, and patience. You must want it, you know. You must desire it. I am therefore standing by him from my position and wishing him luck in all of his endeavors.
Despite being less than four years Sanders’ senior, Hurts said he is glad to share his experience with incoming NFL quarterbacks.
Hurts stated, “There’s a sense of obligation to be yourself and who I am.” To be sincere and truthful while discussing how I arrived at my current position. The trip wasn’t simple. There will always be obstacles to overcome, but you know, I will always be myself, maintain my modest demeanor, and prioritize my work.
Therefore, I am aware of that and I know. I am aware that I am holding a torch, and I respect, accept, and embrace it for what it is. At the same time, I always strive to be the best version of myself, and I hope that my deeds will speak louder than my words.
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Sanders joined the NFL in a different circumstance than Hurts did.
Hurts had little chance of starting as the starting quarterback for Philadelphia because he was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. When the Eagles selected Hurts, Carson Wentz was a well-established and lucrative starter. Hurts, however, made his first NFL start with four games left in his rookie campaign, and he has been in the lineup whenever healthy ever since.
Because of Deshaun Watson’s Achilles injury, the Browns are in need of a starting quarterback. To fill its void, Cleveland selected Sanders and Dillon Gabriel in the draft, acquired Kenny Pickett after he was Hurts’ backup the previous season, and signed Joe Flacco as a free agency.
In the Browns’ 30-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers in their preseason opener on Friday night, Sanders started as the starting quarterback to begin his NFL debut. Sanders ran four times for 19 yards and completed 14 of 23 throws for 138 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
However, Sanders is unlikely to play on Saturday against the Eagles.
The Browns declared that Sanders would not be playing in Thursday’s joint practice with Philadelphia due to an oblique strain he suffered during passing drills on Wednesday.
The most recent injury of a Cleveland quarterback is Sanders’. Pickett is yet to resume full team drills since suffering a hamstring injury on July 26. Additionally, Gabriel has struggled with a hamstring injury that has prevented him from participating fully.
On Saturday, the Browns and Eagles will play at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field at 12:00 CDT. The game will be broadcast on NFL Network.
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Hurts did not participate in Thursday night’s 34-27 Eagles preseason victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, in which Tanner McKee, his backup quarterback, threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns.
Hurts stated that he thinks the preseason combined sessions are beneficial.
After Wednesday’s session, Hurts remarked, “You learn a lot.” You gain a great deal of knowledge about where you are and where you can go. And I believe there was fierce competition today. Just from that state, I’ve always loved every joint practice.
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Mark Inabinett works for Alabama Media Group as a sports writer. You may follow him at @AMarkG1 on X.
