In a league obsessed with proven veterans and high draft picks, Shedeur Sanders ’ rookie season with the Cleveland Browns promises to be one of the most intriguing quarterback stories of the year. After a surprising slide to the fifth round in the NFL Draft, Sanders finds himself in a rare position not just on the roster, but in genuine contention for the starting job. The Browns ’ quarterback competition has suddenly transformed from predictable to wide open, and Sanders stands at the center of it all, ready to disrupt expectations.
A closer look at Cleveland’s QB options
Cleveland’s quarterback room is unusually crowded with four healthy contenders: Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett , Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. While Flacco’s experience and Pickett’s status as a recent first-rounder make them obvious frontrunners, the Browns’ head coach Kevin Stefanski dropped a tantalizing hint in a recent ESPN Cleveland interview: everyone on the roster will compete for a role. That statement, while typical coach-speak on the surface, is anything but routine in this situation.
Sanders’ path to this moment has been anything but conventional. His college stats tell a compelling story, he completed 74 percent of his passes in his final season at Colorado, showcasing accuracy and poise that could translate well at the pro level. Yet, doubts linger due to his draft-day fall and questions about his ability to adjust quickly to NFL defenses. The Browns, however, are leaving the door wide open, signaling that performance in training camp and preseason could rewrite the script entirely.
The initial plan appears to lean toward starting a veteran in Week 1, likely Flacco or Pickett, against the Cincinnati Bengals, a tough divisional rival and reigning playoff powerhouse. But the Browns aren’t closing the door on giving Sanders and Gabriel chances to prove themselves as the season unfolds. This is a rare scenario in the NFL, where rookie quarterbacks, especially late-round picks, rarely get immediate opportunities.
Also Read: Kelly Stafford confesses she works on her “booty” just to keep Matthew Stafford interested
In a league starved for fresh talent and exciting storylines, Shedeur Sanders might just become the quarterback everyone underestimated. If he seizes this chance, the Browns could have unearthed a gem in the unlikeliest of places and the NFL landscape could be altered in the process. The season is young, and the quarterback race in Cleveland is just heating up. Keep your eyes on Sanders, he’s not just competing for a spot; he’s competing to rewrite his narrative.
A closer look at Cleveland’s QB options
Shedeur Sanders will start for the Cleveland Browns this season, ESPN analyst says https://t.co/vrBPJgTCJ3
— Akron Beacon Journal (@beaconjournal) May 21, 2025
Cleveland’s quarterback room is unusually crowded with four healthy contenders: Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett , Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. While Flacco’s experience and Pickett’s status as a recent first-rounder make them obvious frontrunners, the Browns’ head coach Kevin Stefanski dropped a tantalizing hint in a recent ESPN Cleveland interview: everyone on the roster will compete for a role. That statement, while typical coach-speak on the surface, is anything but routine in this situation.
Sanders’ path to this moment has been anything but conventional. His college stats tell a compelling story, he completed 74 percent of his passes in his final season at Colorado, showcasing accuracy and poise that could translate well at the pro level. Yet, doubts linger due to his draft-day fall and questions about his ability to adjust quickly to NFL defenses. The Browns, however, are leaving the door wide open, signaling that performance in training camp and preseason could rewrite the script entirely.
The initial plan appears to lean toward starting a veteran in Week 1, likely Flacco or Pickett, against the Cincinnati Bengals, a tough divisional rival and reigning playoff powerhouse. But the Browns aren’t closing the door on giving Sanders and Gabriel chances to prove themselves as the season unfolds. This is a rare scenario in the NFL, where rookie quarterbacks, especially late-round picks, rarely get immediate opportunities.
Also Read: Kelly Stafford confesses she works on her “booty” just to keep Matthew Stafford interested
In a league starved for fresh talent and exciting storylines, Shedeur Sanders might just become the quarterback everyone underestimated. If he seizes this chance, the Browns could have unearthed a gem in the unlikeliest of places and the NFL landscape could be altered in the process. The season is young, and the quarterback race in Cleveland is just heating up. Keep your eyes on Sanders, he’s not just competing for a spot; he’s competing to rewrite his narrative.
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