Cleveland Browns Deny Sabotaging Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders Amid Starter Competition

Shedeur Sanders, a rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, has faced criticism and speculation that the team is not giving him a fair chance to compete for the starting job after slipping to the fifth round of the NFL Draft. However, local radio host Ken Carman strongly rejects these claims, insisting the Browns are doing everything possible to provide Sanders a fair opportunity and are not sabotaging or trying to break him. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam confirmed that the decision to draft Sanders was ultimately made by the team's general manager Andrew Berry, distancing himself from the pick, while critics highlight the Browns' historical struggles with developing quarterbacks. The quarterback competition remains fierce with veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, as well as rookie Dillon Gabriel, also vying for the starting role; currently, Sanders is reportedly fourth on the depth chart and has not received first-team reps. Despite the doubts, Carman points to Sanders' community involvement and fan support in Cleveland as evidence against any intentional undermining by the team. The Browns have yet to name a Week 1 starter, but Flacco is widely expected to start, leaving Sanders with much to prove amid a challenging situation.