Shedeur Sanders Again Mentioned as Potential Browns' Cut Candidate

The Cleveland Browns have a major quarterback competition brewing. While they have four quarterbacks vying for the job and five on the roster, Shedeur Sanders is by far the most talked-about candidate to be the team's starter.

Outside of Sanders, the Browns have Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Deshaun Watson on the roster. Watson is almost surely not going to start for the team during the upcoming 2025 NFL season.

Even with Watson likely not a key part of the competition, Sanders has a tough road ahead of him.

Sanders slid all the way to the fifth round of the NFL draft before being selected at No. 144 overall following a Cleveland trade up to get him. Gabriel, on the other hand, was selected in the third round and was clearly favored over Sanders by the Browns.

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What does the future have in store for Sanders in Cleveland? No one knows, but there are some who don't think that the future is bright.

ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi suggested that the former Colorado Buffaloes standout quarterback may not even make the roster.

"Getting drafted behind Gabriel adds an element of uncertainty to Sanders' rookie season," Oyefusi wrote. "While he was widely ranked ahead of the third-rounder before the draft, Sanders will likely begin training camp as the fourth QB on the depth chart and won't be guaranteed a roster spot. Cleveland did trade up to draft him, which should afford him more time to develop, but Sanders likely has a longer pathway to the field unless he completely outplays his competition."

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Throughout Sanders's college career with Jackson State and Colorado, Sanders put together big-time numbers. He completed 70.1 percent of his passes for 14,347 yards, 134 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions.

Despite some negativity surrounding his outlook, Sanders is ready to compete. He is embracing the slide that he endured in the draft and is focused on bringing the Browns back to winning and proving the doubters wrong.

Only time will tell, but Sanders has the talent to stick in the NFL. He may not start right away, but if he can live up to his potential in Cleveland, he will work his way onto the field at some point in time.

Expect to continue hearing a lot of news and speculation surrounding Sanders as the 2025 NFL season continues to draw closer.

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