For most of his time in Berea, the Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has been nothing short of smart when handling the media. As soon as conversations would turn into controversies, he would put the fire out in one single swoop. He would wish his camp had done the same.

Just as the Browns wrapped up their joint practice with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, Sanders’ camp has apparently found another target. And as Cleveland 92.3 The Fan’s Anthony Lima believes, there’s much more to that warning.

“Things must be going badly for 2 when his friends on payroll are threatening to call the league to get people fired, going to war over practice stats (lol),” Cleveland 92.3 The Fan’s Anthony Lima wrote on X. “… And then they’ll throw the lord in there to throw people off the scent.” 

Lima is probably hinting at Hellion ‘Boog’ Knight, head of operations for Young Money APAA, the agency tied to Sanders. The Browns’ August 20th joint practice with the Buffalo Bills was a circled event for many in Berea. The second-year Shedeur Sanders, however, didn’t put much thought into it.

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Even though he had a lot riding on it against the league’s best defense, his mindset was “get completions, run the offense the right way.” But while manifestations can turn into reality at times, things couldn’t have gone more opposite for the QB, and Bills’ insider Sal Capaccio noticed.

Sanders panicked in some chaotic situations against the Bills and made choices that did not best suit what the Browns want to see. And Capaccio, even while choosing Sanders as his starting quarterback, warned the Browns of his behavior when under pressure.

While Knight seemingly did not say anything about it, he did support Cleveland reporter Daryl Ruiter when he warned Capaccio about his takes on the second-year QB on his coverage of the Bills-Browns joint practice at 92.3 The Fan.

“I’m gonna warn you, watch what you say about Shedeur. He has a rabid and loyal fanbase,” Ruiter said.

Capaccio smiled at him and went ahead to give his honest take on the sophomore QB, which was not well-received by Knight.

“Yes! Warn him! I’m glad you get the picture. We not standing down to none of the foolery anymore.”

This wasn’t the only time that Knight stood for Sanders.

Knight opens a war on Shedeur Sanders ‘haters’

Interestingly, Knight’s latest target was fellow QB Dillon Gabriel, who gained more practice reps. Instantly, Knight called out Sanders’ haters while responding to a training camp clip showing the former Oregon QB.

“People vouching for this over what’s been out on display shows you just how wild the world that we live in, is!!! They hate that bad, that they’ll try to convince you that this is better.”

Last season, Knight sort of opened a war against Cleveland media right after the Colorado alum made his way to Berea.

In May 2025, Sanders made an impromptu visit to John Marshall High School. As the media continued to promote the feel-good story originally shared by Knight, ESPN Cleveland’s Aaron Goldhammer took issue.

“I felt like it was him screaming, ‘See, look at how good of a person I am. I went to a school, then I worked out. I’m doing all the right things,’” Goldhammer said on The Really Big Show back then.

Expectedly, Knight instantly clapped back.

“Shedeur did NOT post anything! I posted it,” Knight, who co-hosts Travis Hunter’s podcast, wrote. “He didnt ask me, or anyone else to post anything. Nor did he ask for a hundred cameras to be on him upon his entrance into the school. This isnt his first school visit. He’s done MANY, in various cities & states. This is just spewed hate.”

Meanwhile, Sanders is only focused on how he can beat veteran Deshaun Watson for the primary signal caller position.

Shedeur Sanders continues to survive his on-field fight

Shedeur Sanders’ current situation is not ideal. He entered the season as the quarterback who held down the fort for Cleveland last year. At the same time, Sanders has worked to improve his game, which the Browns staff appreciates. However, it is now presumed that veteran Deshaun Watson will be named the starter, as he has gotten more reps this month.

Head coach Todd Monken sparked controversy after telling the press that Sanders was to get first-team reps during one session, but they ended up going to Watson.

In the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, Watson went 11-for-15 for 126 yards. Meanwhile, Sanders landed a 39.6 QB rating after completing only six passes for 79 yards and an interception. We know Sanders will start for the Browns against Buffalo, but whether he will get to follow it up with any opportunities in the regular season is a mystery. Sanders is confident he can be better.

“What did I gain from seven starts? My own point of view,” Sanders said this week. “I don’t think I’m a dumb human being, you know? I think I’m very bright. So it was kind of like figuring the lay of the land, having a better understanding of everything. So, of course, when you first get me out there, you may get me. But when I’m prepared… when I have all these different variables of things that I can control, then I’ll be able to put myself and the team in the best situation.”

Will Todd Monken give him the stage to prove it? We will have to wait and watch. However, Sanders would certainly appreciate it if names associated with him would calm down and let his performance do the talking.