Shedeur Sanders Set for Week 14 Start Amid Off-Field Noise and On-Field Opportunity
As Shedeur Sanders gears up for his third NFL start this weekend, the rookie quarterback finds himself in the middle of more than just a battle on the field. While the Cleveland Browns prepare to face the Tennessee Titans in a matchup between two struggling teams, a heated off-field exchange involving Sanders' name has stirred attention - and not the kind you want during a rookie campaign.
Veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson has been one of Sanders’ most vocal supporters throughout his transition to the pros. She’s frequently taken to social media to defend the former Colorado Buffaloes star, especially when it comes to how the Browns have managed his development, including concerns over his access to first-team reps under head coach Kevin Stefanski.
But things escalated this week when Browns beat writer Zac Jackson alleged that he received a series of harassing messages from someone claiming to be Anderson’s sister - messages that took direct aim at Jackson for his past reporting on Sanders. The messages, which included personal insults and accusations of dishonesty, quickly became public after Jackson shared them and responded with a few pointed remarks of his own.
Jackson claimed the messages were sent by someone with the last name Anderson, and he concluded - without confirmation - that the person was related to Josina Anderson. That assumption didn’t sit well with the longtime NFL reporter, who publicly denied the connection.
"This defamatory accusation from @AkronJackson of The Athletic on his podcast is categorically false," Anderson wrote in response to the situation. "I do not have a sister named 'Sheila Anderson,' nor do I have a sister who reached out to Zac Jackson in any form or fashion."
She added that she had listened to Jackson’s podcast and was stunned by what she described as a reckless decision to air the claim without verifying it with her first. "I will handle this with the appropriate action," she concluded.
Jackson, for his part, has not responded further to Anderson’s statement.
Back to Football: Sanders vs. Ward in a Rookie QB Showdown
While the off-field drama continues to swirl, Shedeur Sanders is staying focused on what matters most: his opportunity under center for the Browns. The rookie is set to face off against Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward in Week 14 - a matchup that carries a little extra intrigue given the shared history between the two signal-callers.
Coming into the 2025 NFL Draft, Ward and Sanders were widely projected to be the top two quarterback prospects. Ward ended up going first overall to the Titans, while Sanders saw his stock tumble, eventually landing with the Browns in the fifth round. It’s the kind of draft slide that adds fuel to a competitor’s fire, and Sanders has quietly been working his way up the depth chart ever since.
It took a series of trades and injuries for Sanders to finally get his shot, but now that he's starting, he’s looking to make the most of it. The Browns enter Week 14 with a 3-9 record, while the Titans sit at 1-11. Neither team is in playoff contention, but for these two rookie quarterbacks, this game is about more than just wins and losses - it’s about proving they belong.
There’s also a layer of mutual respect between Sanders and Ward. The two have maintained a friendly relationship off the field, and both understand the significance of this matchup. In a season where not much has gone right for either franchise, this head-to-head battle offers a glimpse into what the future might look like - and for Sanders, it’s a chance to show that his fall in the draft doesn’t define his ceiling.
What to Watch
As Sanders leads the Browns into this Week 14 clash, all eyes will be on how he handles the Titans’ defense and whether he can build momentum in what’s shaping up to be a critical stretch for his development. The Browns’ offense has been inconsistent all year, but Sanders brings a different energy to the huddle - one that’s still raw but undeniably confident.
For Cleveland fans, this game is less about the standings and more about watching a young quarterback try to stake his claim. And for Shedeur Sanders, it’s another opportunity to silence the noise - both on and off the field - the best way he knows how: by playing ball.