Rookie Shedeur Sanders Competes for Browns Starting QB Role

Shedeur Sanders, a fifth-round pick for the Cleveland Browns in the 2025 NFL Draft, is competing with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel for the starting quarterback position. Despite being drafted later than expected, Sanders has impressed in OTAs with his accuracy, decision-making, and completion percentage, which leads the group at 64.3%. Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck acknowledge that the quarterback competition is wide open, with no entrenched starter, giving Sanders a real opportunity to win the job. While Flacco's experience offers an edge, economic factors and the rookies' potential could influence the Browns' quarterback strategy. Sanders' mental preparation, work ethic, and strong college performance under his father Deion Sanders underscore his potential to contribute significantly to the Browns' offense. Overall, the Browns are closely monitoring the development of all four quarterbacks as they prepare for the 2025 season.