Cleveland Browns’ rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders entered the NFL with a lot of fanfare. Sanders is the son of NFL Hall of Famer and current Colorado Buffaloes’ head football coach Deion Sanders. Shedeur Sanders enjoyed a stellar four year collegiate career, with his first two years at Division II Jackson State, and his latter two at the University of Colorado. He compiled a 70 percent completion percentage while throwing 134 touchdowns against 27 interceptions while playing all four years for his father (Deion Sanders was Jackson State’s head football coach from 2020 to 2022). Shedeur Sanders appeared to have the skills to become a first round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Shockingly, Sanders’ stock tumbled considerably. He could only sit, wait, and listen for his name as NFL teams continued to select other players. NFL fans wondered why Sanders’ name was still on the board. Some might say that Sanders has a little too much confidence in his ability because of the apparently lavish draft party he hosted before the 2025 NFL draft. Shedeur Sanders’ confidence is a trait that was greatly exhibited by his father during his collegiate playing days at Florida State University, and in the NFL. Shedeur Sanders was eventually taken in the fifth round, which could have dealt his psyche a considerable blow. The court of public opinion will find it difficult to sympathize with Shedeur Sanders. Deion Sanders was known as a brash and flashy player during his NFL days. Public opinion reasons that the apple doesn’t fall that far from the proverbial tree in relation to both Sanders’ men.
There’s an unwritten rule that rookies are supposed to be seen and not heard. Considering who his father is, and the elder Sanders’ reputation for being a flashy person, Shedeur knows he’ll have a lot of eyes watching to see how he plays. Sanders is currently fourth on the Browns’ quarterback depth chart. Forty year old veteran quarterback Joe Flacco figures to be the Week One starter based on his extensive NFL experience. Veteran Kenny Pickett and 2025 third round selection Dillon Gabriel are second and third on Cleveland’s quarterback depth chart, respectively. However, Cleveland head coach Kevin Stepanski has named Sanders the starter for the Browns’ first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. Sanders seems to have the most upside of the four quarterbacks because of a combination of skill, experience, and polarity.
Sanders will have to make the most of his opportunities when they’re presented to him. He has to have command of the offensive huddle and run the offense efficiently while he’s under center. If Shedeur Sanders proves to be effective running the Browns’ offense, regardless of if he’s playing with the starting offense or reserves, he’ll make a strong case to be the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback of the future.