Emmitt Smith knows a thing or two about pressure. As the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and a centerpiece of the Dallas Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s, he’s seen what greatness looks like up close - and he believes he’s seeing it again in Shedeur Sanders.
Smith, who shared the Cowboys locker room with Deion “Prime Time” Sanders back in the day, is now watching Deion’s son carve out his own legacy in the NFL. And he’s not holding back when it comes to how he feels Shedeur’s being treated - particularly by the Cleveland Browns.
In a recent conversation with Kay Adams, Smith made it clear: he thinks Shedeur isn’t getting a fair shake.
“I guess coaches want to make sure that guys know there is no security, and they want them to compete for the job,” Smith said. “No one wants to hand them anything. This is the way they’re treating Shedeur.”
But Smith didn’t stop there. He pointed out that other young quarterbacks have been given the keys to the franchise without having to fight tooth and nail for it.
“They handed it to Drake Maye and the kid out in L.A. and Jacksonville. They also handed it to Sam Darnold and other players,” Smith said.
“What does Cleveland have? Absolutely nothing.
What’s the debate? Are you going to give it to Dillon again?”
It’s a fair question, especially when you look at how Sanders performed once he got his shot.
Shedeur started the season buried on the Browns’ depth chart - fourth string behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel. But as the season progressed, the depth chart thinned. Flacco and Pickett were traded, and Gabriel took over as the starter - until a concussion against the Ravens opened the door.
Sanders stepped in and didn’t look back.
He brought a spark to Cleveland’s offense, and while the Browns didn’t make a deep playoff run, there was a noticeable shift in energy and execution with Sanders under center. Emmitt Smith saw it, too.
“I haven’t seen anyone else earn the right but him,” Smith said. “And he hasn’t played enough or had enough chances to be on the football field. When he’s on the football field, they look and feel better.”
That’s high praise from a Hall of Famer - and it’s not just about stats. Smith pointed to Shedeur’s poise, leadership, and confidence as traits that set him apart.
“Forget what he looks like or how he walks,” Smith said. “You want someone who is confident.
Someone who says they’ll lead the organization and is willing to take on the pressure. He manages all the questions that come his way like a professional.”
And when the spotlight got brightest, Sanders delivered.
After a strong finish to the regular season, Shedeur earned a spot in the Pro Bowl - a rare feat for a rookie quarterback. He was brought in as a replacement for Drake Maye, who couldn’t participate due to Super Bowl commitments, but Sanders made the most of the opportunity.
In the Pro Bowl’s flag football showcase, Sanders threw two touchdowns and two interceptions against a loaded NFC defense. It wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was a statement: Shedeur belongs.
He showed flashes of the same playmaking ability that made him a star at Colorado, and more importantly, he showed he could hang with the league’s best. After the game, Sanders took to social media to show his appreciation.
“Thank you to all the coaches, players, and fans for allowing me to be a part of the Pro Bowl!” he wrote.
“It was an amazing experience connecting with the guys, learning, and growing. Truly grateful for the opportunity and hoping to stay connected.
Thank you, GOD 🙏🏾🔥@NFL”
Now comes the next chapter.
The Browns have a new head coach in Todd Monken - the former Ravens offensive coordinator - and he’s made it clear the quarterback job is wide open heading into 2026. That means Shedeur will likely be competing with Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson for the starting spot.
But if Year 1 was any indication, Sanders won’t shy away from the challenge. He’s already proven he can rise through the ranks.
He’s already shown he can lead. And he’s already earned the respect of legends like Emmitt Smith.
The Browns may be calling it an open competition, but Shedeur Sanders is making a strong case that the job should already be his.