Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Apologizes for Curt Media Response

Cleveland Browns second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders apologized to reporters on Wednesday for his curt responses during a media session earlier this month, explaining that he shut down to avoid narratives that could create division within the team. The apology comes as Sanders competes with veteran Deshaun Watson for the starting quarterback job, with the team's preseason opener against the Chicago Bears scheduled for Saturday.

Sanders addressed the media for the first time since an exchange on August 1, where he gave a brief answer to a question about his competition with Watson. On that occasion, he had said, "I answered this question a thousand times. We focus on ourselves and what we do, and what we need to do to get better each and every day." Speaking on Wednesday, Sanders said he wanted to apologize for that interaction. "I dislike when it's a lot of separation. When something gets between the team and people get painted a certain way and all this different type of stuff. So that's where I get frustrated, and I shut down. Because it just doesn't help us win," he stated.

Sanders suggested his earlier response was a defense mechanism. "I feel drained when I express...