The Cleveland Browns kicked off voluntary minicamp this week, and the buzz around the team is already shifting. With the 2026 NFL Draft just days away, the media got a firsthand look at an open practice and caught up with several players. Second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders stepped up to the microphone and delivered some comments that are turning heads.
Sanders didn't hold back. He called for a fresh wave of positivity, even urging the media to adopt a "new vibe" and "new energy." His message? Let's stop dwelling on the past and focus on what's ahead.
He's got a point. The Browns have struggled to find their footing since returning to Cleveland. Sure, there have been flashes of winning seasons, but consistency has been elusive. Years of bad teams, revolving-door coaches, quarterback carousels, and multiple general manager changes can wear down even the most loyal fanbase. For fans, it's exhausting to root for a team that can't seem to string together wins. They want to feel excitement, not embarrassment, when they put on that orange and brown.
But for the media, covering a losing team is a different beast. Let's be honest: it's a lot more fun to write about victories than defeats. Still, players know exactly what's being said about them in the press. This isn't the first time a Browns player has tried to flip the script. Back in 2023, veteran safety Juan Thornhill—a Super Bowl champion brought in to steer the ship—preached a similar message of positivity and change.
The difference now? The messenger. Thornhill had the resume to back it up. Sanders, as a rookie, hasn't proven much on the field yet. But as a contender for the starting quarterback job, he's stepping into a leadership role. He's asking for a culture shift, but talk is cheap in the NFL.
The bottom line? Winning changes everything. If the Browns can turn this new energy into consistent victories, the negativity from fans and media will fade fast. Until then, it's all about building a culture that can actually deliver. For the players, coaches, and fans alike, the hope is that this fresh start leads to something real—and maybe, just maybe, a winning season that sticks.