Shedeur Sanders Faces Steep Learning Curve, but Bills’ McDermott Sees the Upside
Shedeur Sanders is coming off a tough outing against the Bears, but despite the growing pains, the rookie quarterback is still earning respect around the league - including from one of the NFL’s top defensive minds.
As the Buffalo Bills prepare to host Cleveland in Week 16, head coach Sean McDermott took a moment to praise Sanders, even as the rookie prepares to face one of the league’s stingiest pass defenses.
“Good young player, off to a great start,” McDermott said Wednesday. “Dangerous with the toolset he brings to the table. He’s done a great job.”
That’s high praise from the head coach of a unit that’s been suffocating opposing quarterbacks all season. The Bills rank second in the NFL in pass defense, allowing just 169.5 yards per game through the air and holding quarterbacks to a 60.5% completion rate.
And it’s not just the coverage - Buffalo leads the league in limiting yards after the catch, surrendering just 1,221 YAC all year. That’s a direct challenge to one of the few areas where Sanders and the Browns have found success.
In his first four NFL starts, Sanders has shown flashes of the playmaking ability that made him a standout in college, but the transition to the pros has been bumpy. Last Sunday’s 31-3 loss to Chicago was his toughest yet - a three-interception performance that highlighted just how steep the NFL learning curve can be.
Through four starts, Sanders has completed just 52.2% of his passes. Those numbers paint a clear picture: the rookie is still finding his rhythm.
But Sanders isn’t shying away from the adversity. In fact, he’s embracing it.
“I’m just excited that I’m able to get everybody’s best,” Sanders said Wednesday. “I’m just getting in the league and my feet settled and everything.
So I get excited knowing I’m able to face those challenges… this year right here, this is the worst it’s going to be. You know what I’m saying?
This is where I’m building from.”
That mindset is exactly what you want to hear from a young quarterback. Sanders knows the road won’t be easy, but he’s treating this season as a foundation, not a finished product.
And to his credit, he’s shown resilience. Even with the interceptions, he’s kept pushing the ball downfield, trying to make plays - sometimes forcing it, sometimes trusting his receivers a little too much.
That trust has been tested. Three of Sanders’ interceptions have come on passes intended for Jerry Jeudy - including one in the end zone last week that went right through Jeudy’s hands.
Meanwhile, rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has emerged as Sanders’ most reliable target, hauling in 23 of Sanders’ 72 completions. It’s clear the chemistry with Fannin is growing, but the rest of the passing game is still a work in progress.
Now, Sanders is about to face one of his biggest challenges yet. Buffalo’s defense doesn’t just limit yards - it punishes mistakes.
Their secondary disguises coverages well, their linebackers close fast, and their tackling in space is as sound as any group in the league. For a rookie quarterback still finding his timing and feel for NFL speed, that’s a tall order.
But McDermott’s comments weren’t just coach-speak. There’s real recognition of Sanders’ potential.
The physical tools are there - the arm strength, the mobility, the confidence. What comes next is refinement.
And if Sanders can weather the storm this season, he’ll be better for it.
For now, it’s about learning on the fly - and doing it against some of the best in the business. Sunday in Buffalo won’t be easy.
But for Shedeur Sanders, it’s another step in the process. Another chance to grow.
Another shot to prove he belongs.