Shedeur Sanders has his work cut out if he wants to make strides in the Browns QB race, as he currently sits at QB3 behind Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel. The quarterback drama in Cleveland took another turn this week as the franchise traded former first-round pick Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick.
The move trims Cleveland’s QB room down to three. Veteran Joe Flacco is QB1 as Kevin Stefanski stated last week, followed by rookie Dillon Gabriel, and fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders. The 144th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft impressed in flashes this preseason, completing 17 of 29 passes for 152 yards, two touchdowns, and adding 19 rushing yards. However, he also took seven sacks and showed inconsistency against stiffer defenses, warranting concerns from the football world.
Former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum gave his opinion on what the Browns’ and Shedeur’s plan should look like going into the 2025 NFL season. Appearing on ESPN’s “First Take,” Tannenbaum said,
“I give him an A minus against the Panthers, maybe a C minus against the Rams. That’s rookie quarterback development. It’s never in a straight line. If I’m the Browns, by the end of the season I want to know exactly what I have in Dillon Gabriel… but what I would say to Shedeur is every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, that’s your game day. You may not be number two right now, but go beat out Dillon Gabriel in practice.” (08:40)
The opportunity for Sanders to prove he belongs and climb the depth chart couldn’t be clearer.
Will Shedeur Sanders make it to Browns’ 53-man roster spot?
Shedeur Sanders has been one of the most talked-about names in Cleveland this summer, but the clock is ticking. The Browns will soon finalize their 53-man roster, and the rookie quarterback is on the bubble after a rollercoaster preseason.
Sanders wrapped up the Browns’ preseason game vs. the Rams with an ugly outing. He completed just 3-of-6 passes for 14 yards while being sacked five times. The sacks cost Cleveland 41 yards, and Deion Sanders’ son looked shaky behind the backup offensive line. It was a far cry from his Week 1 preseason debut vs. the Panthers, where he completed 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards, two touchdowns, and 19 rushing yards.
The Browns’ quarterback room has thinned out in recent days. Tyler Huntley was released Sunday, while Kenny Pickett was shipped to the Raiders, leaving Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Sanders battling for roster security.
General manager Andrew Berry hinted that Cleveland could keep four quarterbacks before trading Pickett.
“Honestly, it’s not much of a decision for us… we more see it as an opportunity,” Berry told the team’s broadcast.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski, meanwhile, said he hasn’t yet determined who will back up Flacco in Week 1. As for Sanders, he made it clear where he stands when asked about his place on the Browns’ 53-man roster.
“Obviously, I feel like I’ve put in the work,” Sanders said. “I feel like I do [belong], but I’m my own player. I think about myself in a high regard.”
Also read: “Odd But True” Shedeur Sanders Receives Massive News About His Future With The Browns
