Johnny Manziel makes feelings known on Shedeur Sanders' character concerns causing draft slide to Browns

Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel thinks Shedeur Sanders is getting overly criticized.

Manziel saw Sanders have a draft day slide to the fifth round to the Browns, as his attitude was put into question. However, Manziel says everything he has seen has been good from Sanders, and he expects him to do well in the NFL and even potentially win the starting job.

"As you hear and see reports certain things, maybe he's a little too loud, the quiet guy, the Geno (Smith) type of guy who comes in and kind of under the radar. I'm watching rookie minicamp stuff and they are detailing every single throw. It's f*****g crazy, it's rookie minicamp...

“He’s got an opportunity now in Cleveland with a quarterback situation, that he can honestly come out of and win the job,” Manziel added. “I think he’ll do well. I really do. I think the kid works really hard and loves the game of ball, when it comes down to it, when you have a guy like that, that loves the game. I think he’ll be successful.”

As Manziel says, he believes Sanders wasn't fairly judged going into the draft, and he expects the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback to have a lot of success in the NFL.

Entering the NFL, Manziel was also known for having a brash personality like Sanders, so he knows from experience that everyone is watching his every snap. But he does have a lot of confidence that Sanders will be able to thrive in Cleveland and be a good NFL quarterback.

Browns legend gives Shedeur Sanders advice

Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns quarterback room are one of the storylines to watch.

Sanders performed well at OTAs and ahead of training camp, Browns legend Joe Thomas gave him some advice.

"Keep your mouth closed, and your eyes and ears open," Thomas said during an ESPN Cleveland radio appearance, via SI. "Be humble, always diffuse praise, and always assume any criticism and accept it. The best thing he can do is just go to work every single day, get a little bit better.

"Get better at one thing, write at the top of your notebook, 'This is the goal for today, this is what I want to get better at, this is how I'll get better at it,' and then, at the end of the day, go back and be very critical," Thomas added. "The mirror test. Look yourself in the mirror, and be the most harsh critic of yourself and your game, and say, 'Did I accomplish what I set out to do at this practice?'"

It's good advice from Thomas, who is looking out for Sanders and wants to see the quarterback thrive in Cleveland.

Sanders will get another chance to impress the Browns' coaching staff in training camp to potentially win the starting job.