Jalen Hurts Details 'Lengthy' Conversation With Shedeur Sanders After Joint Practice

The Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles held joint practices this week leading up to their preseason game on Saturday. Following the practice session, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was observed having an extended conversation with Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, a fifth-round draft pick competing for a roster spot in Cleveland.

When asked by the media about the discussion, Hurts revealed that Sanders initiated the talk. He chose to keep the details private but shared the core advice he gave Sanders, who is recovering from an oblique injury that caused him to miss significant practice time. Hurts emphasized the necessity of "patience, hard work, and a sense of resilience" to succeed, stating, "You got to want it." He expressed his full support for Sanders and wished him the best with his opportunities. After their talk, Hurts and Sanders rode a cart back to the locker rooms together.

The article highlights that Hurts is an excellent mentor for Sanders due to his own career path. Hurts, a second-round pick, joined the Eagles when Carson Wentz was the established starter. However, Hurts worked diligently, capitalized on Wentz being benched during his rookie year, and eventually secured the starting job permanently, becoming a Super Bowl MVP. While Sanders' exact situation differs, the crucial similarity is that neither player was handed the starting role immediately; both had/have to earn it.

The piece concludes by suggesting that if Sanders internalizes Hurts' advice about resilience and hard work, he could potentially follow a similar trajectory and earn a starting role by the season's end.