The Browns and Eagles are holding joint practice together this week ahead of their preseason clash on Saturday. After it wrapped up, cameras captured Philadelphia star Jalen Hurts in a deep discussion with Shedeur Sanders, the fifth-round rookie battling for a spot on Cleveland's QB depth chart.
Hurts was asked about their conversation by the media and gave some insight into what he told Sanders, who missed a good chunk of practice due to an oblique injury.
"I'll keep the conversation intimate," Hurts said. "We had a very lengthy conversation and he came to me and just, you know, wanted to talk. And I'm always there. I said earlier, giving my perspective on what I see and how I go about things. Ultimately it takes a great deal of patience and hard work and a sense of resilience. You got to want it. So I'm supporting him from where I am and I wish him nothing but the best with his opportunities."
After the conversation the two took a cart ride back to the locker rooms.
Rookie seeking advice from the vet after joint practices 🤝
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) August 13, 2025
(via @Eagles and @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/PZvGSYou8C
There are certainly worse options for Sanders to ask advice from. Hurts was a second-round pick who joined a team featuring Carson Wentz under center at a time when he was the presumed franchise quarterback in Philly. But Hurts put in the work and took advantage of Wentz getting benched in his rookie year to permanently take the starting job. Now he's a reigning Super Bowl MVP.
It's not exactly the same situation Sanders finds himself in, but the similarity that matters is simple: Hurts wasn't handed the keys to the starting job from Day 1, just like Sanders. He had to earn it.
If Sanders takes Hurts's advice to heart maybe he'll follow a similar path and wind up starting by the end of the season.
More NFL on Sports Illustrated
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Jalen Hurts Details 'Lengthy' Conversation With Shedeur Sanders After Joint Practice .
