Shedeur Sanders Press Conference — November 4th, 2026

[0:00] How are y'all doing? [0:02] When did you first get the news that you might possibly be in line to start? [0:08] How are you approaching this week? [0:10] I would say the same time y'all got the news. [0:14] How are you going about this college? [0:18] The same way I've been preparing every week. [0:21] No different. [0:23] In that regard, last year you kind of went through a similar thing. [0:28] Went to the backup and then thrust into the starting job. [0:33] How much did that experience or how much is it the fact that you don't change the way you prepare [0:39] helped you in this situation? [0:43] Well, first, I definitely want to thank just the whole coaching staff and Andrew Barron [0:48] and everybody part of the organization for giving me another chance to be here for this year, [0:54] this season and everything. [0:55] Last year, I'll say I was able to see what I need to see, feel different things during the games [1:01] and understand what I need to get better at. [1:05] So then going into this offseason, we worked on that and training camp, of course, in this offseason. [1:10] And overall, I'm just excited for the opportunity. [1:13] Should I read two instances where you've had to hop in a game? [1:16] First time is just for a play. [1:18] Last week, I think it was for four plays. [1:20] Just what do you take from that experience? [1:22] How does that help you? [1:23] What do you learn from it? [1:24] How did you feel in that situation? [1:29] Yeah, I mean, I'm comfortable when the ball in my hands in general, you know, so just go in there, [1:38] do what I have to do, play the long game, you know, winning everything, [1:42] and just be excited to get out there. [1:45] How does this offensive system fit you? [1:47] We in, like, week seven, and we're talking about the offensive system fitting me. [1:52] We could have figured that out, you know, in training camp, you know. [1:58] Should we look at, you know, talk to KC and ask him about the reps he got with you in offseason [2:04] and training camp, like, how valuable do you think that was going into this week for you? [2:10] No, I would definitely say it was important. [2:12] It was valuable. [2:13] Just tapping back into that memory bank, you know, [2:16] having those reps and everything. [2:18] That's why I'm thankful for this whole offseason and everything, [2:22] and just being out there with the guys each and every day, [2:26] being able to still get some throws in with them. [2:29] So I don't think we lost a step. [2:31] Shido, there was a lot said during training camp about how you had gotten better from last year [2:36] to this year and working through things. [2:38] How has that development been going to continue for you in the regular season [2:42] despite that you're not taking the first team reps in this season? [2:46] I guess we'll see. [2:47] I guess we'll see. [2:50] Yeah, but can you say, this is the first time we've had to talk to you [2:55] through the process of hiring an agent? [2:59] Was that just a natural development in your career? [3:05] What's that got to do with this game? [3:07] Nothing. [3:09] I'm focused on this game. [3:10] Anything else really don't matter at this point, you know. [3:13] Well, speaking about this game, have you had an opportunity yet? [3:16] I know it's all happening fast. [3:17] Have you had a chance to study the Saints defense yet a little bit? [3:21] And what have you seen so far? [3:22] What have you seen so far? [3:24] Um, yeah, I've seen a lot. [3:28] When I smile, just know that means something. [3:34] I'm maturing, you know what I'm saying? [3:36] I'm maturing. [3:36] Like, I could have gave that, you know, a decent answer, [3:38] but now I'm just going to smile whenever it's just, like, some questions, you know. [3:44] You've seen this offense now in the regular season for any game. [3:49] So, in your role, what do you have to do? [3:54] I just go out there and trust my teammates, trust the game plan, and do everything I can. [3:58] We've got opportunities, I mean, this offensive line, how do you notice just, you know, [4:05] kind of watching them get better over the course of the first seven games? [4:10] And what do you have to do to kind of communicate with them this week as you're getting ready [4:15] to, you know, for maybe differences in your game compared to, you know, to what Deshaun might do? [4:21] I think we all got a great relationship with them. [4:25] So, I don't think – I think to the outside world, it's way more complex than what it is. [4:31] I think as a team and everybody in the locker room, we all feel the same way when it comes to the bond [4:36] and when it comes to just the companionship and everything. [4:40] And Deshaun led us this far, and it's unfortunate he wasn't able to go out there, you know. [4:45] But on my end, you know, I just got to step up for the quarterback room, for the team, [4:50] and do what I have to do. [4:51] What can you do if you do it again? [4:53] This offense going earlier in the game than it has so far. [4:58] Just my job. [4:59] I don't think it – I don't think it's been bad. [5:01] How many wins we got? [5:02] It can't be that bad, you know. [5:05] So, I don't think – I don't want to just come in here and just try to discredit, you know, [5:10] what Deshaun done and everything he's done. [5:12] That don't make me feel good as a person, you know. [5:16] I think it's just doing my job, not doing too much, doing what I have to do. [5:19] How much tempo, pace, rhythm early in the game to get yourself in the offense, [5:27] you're asking questions I probably didn't even think about, to be honest. [5:33] So, I really don't have an answer for that. [5:37] How does this week change for you from a mindset perspective? [5:41] Nothing changes. [5:42] Okay. [5:43] Does an excitement perspective change? [5:46] No change in the opposite. [5:47] I would say I had a lot of ups and downs, you know, in my life so far, even though I'm only, like, 24. [5:54] So, I tend to not even get really too excited, you know, when it comes to things. [5:58] Like, I've always been the same. [6:00] Like, I've always been, like, very, you know, relaxed, you know, when it comes to things as this [6:07] and other things just in life in general. [6:08] So, I ain't really trying to ride the roller coaster life, you know. [6:12] So, I like to keep everything even. [6:15] Say two more. [6:17] How difficult? [6:27] Yeah, I think I just come and do my job and learn everything I can, you know, while I do that. [6:35] Yeah. [6:36] I guess off of that, how have you helped you, or sorry, Deshaun throughout the season? [6:46] I would say how I've been able to help him. [6:51] I would say, like, he's a vet. [6:52] So, like, if he asks any questions, like, he got another set of eyes, you know, [6:56] that can validate, you know, certain things, but I think that's just something for him, like, to speak on. [7:03] I don't really want to input what I have done, because then I'll be taking the credit, you know what I'm saying? [7:09] Like, that don't make sense. [7:11] Appreciate y'all.