Shedeur Sanders Reacts to Historic 1st Matchup vs. Aaron Rodgers, Huntley Phone Call

Shedeur Sanders says he spoke with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley prior to the Cleveland Browns' Sunday victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Browns' 13-6 win stopped the Steelers from clinching the AFC North and gave Huntley and the Ravens a chance to secure a playoff berth in Week 18.

Sanders told reporters Sunday that Huntley had contacted him the day before, after helping keep the Ravens' playoff hopes alive with a Saturday win over the Green Bay Packers.

"He was excited they just got the win," Sanders said. "He was definitely, words of encouragement, stuff for me. But that's just how he is. He's not just doing that just because it gives them a chance, now. I think the overall person he is, and the time that we spent together, he did nothing but speak life into me, and I truly appreciate him for that."

Huntley started the summer on the Browns' roster alongside Sanders before he was released earlier this season.

"I think because I'm always smiling and he's always smiling, I think that's what it is," Sander said Sunday about his connection with Huntley. "And then we just talked, and just had a conversation about God, and why he feels like he was sent here. Just to give me those words of encouragement, to keep me going. Understand his story, understand how things panned out for him, also.

"He always told me to be ready, and anytime I talked to him, he's always positive. People with the same vibe usually get along with each other."

Thanks to Sanders and the Browns, Huntley and the Ravens could now secure a playoff spot with a Week 18 win over the Steelers.

Whether Huntley plays again in the Ravens' winner-takes-all regular-season finale will depend on the availability of Lamar Jackson, who was sidelined for Week 17 with a back contusion.

If Jackson is unable to return by next weekend, it will be up to Huntley and star running back Derrick Henry to lead the Steelers offense against the Browns.

This Sunday that task was up to Sanders, who finished the Week 17 matchup having completed 17 of 23 pass attempts for 186 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers were unable to capitalize on either of those picks as the Browns held the Pittsburgh offense to just two first-half field goals.

Rodgers finished the game having gone 21-for-39 with 168 passing yards, no touchdowns and no picks. He had a brief conversation with Sanders on the field following the Steelers' loss.

Sanders was making his sixth straight start for the Browns, where he took over the starting role from fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel ahead of Week 12.

How confident the Browns feel in Sanders and Gabriel could potentially impact the franchise's approach to the 2026 draft.

Cleveland holds two first-round picks, including what Tankathon currently projects as the No. 6 selection in the draft. Whether the franchise ultimately uses one of those selections on a signal caller will hinge at least in part on their late-season evaluation of the current quarterback room.