Shedeur Sanders may not have seen any action in the Cleveland Browns‘ season opener, but his influence off the field is unmistakable.
Despite being inactive for Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sanders‘ jersey sales have soared, ranking as the fifth-best seller in the NFL, according to NFLPA sales data spanning March 1 to July 31.
Only a handful of elite players-Philadelphia Eagles stars Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts, Washington Commanders Pro Bowler Jayden Daniels, and reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen-surpass him. Impressively, no other Browns player cracked the top 50 in jersey sales.
Sanders‘ growing popularity is especially striking considering his unexpected draft slide. Once projected as a first-round pick, he fell to the fifth round before the Browns grabbed him with the 144th overall pick.
Throughout training camp and the preseason, Sanders showcased glimpses of his talent but entered the season as the team’s third-string quarterback behind veteran Joe Flacco, 40, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.
Currently, Sanders serves primarily as an emergency quarterback backup, only eligible to enter a game if both Flacco and Gabriel become unavailable due to injury.
As a result, the Browns designated him inactive for their first game. Given this situation, it’s unlikely Sanders will see meaningful playing time during his rookie year.
Browns commit to developing Sanders
Looking ahead, the Browns face a critical decision regarding both Sanders and Gabriel before next year’s NFL Draft. Cleveland holds two first-round selections and could use those valuable assets to pursue a top-tier quarterback if neither young player develops quickly enough.
However, insiders and team analysts indicate that Sanders‘ playing time this season will remain very limited.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic offered insight into the Browns‘ drafting strategy, emphasizing the absence of any hidden agendas behind selecting Sanders.
“There is no big secret or conspiracy about the pick,” Russini explained. “It was a decision made by GM Andrew Berry based on confidence in the coaching staff’s ability to nurture Sanders and help him grow into a reliable NFL quarterback. This will be a process, and Cleveland is focused on long-term development.”
Unless an unusual situation arises, Sanders is expected to remain sidelined in favor of Joe Flacco‘s veteran experience and Dillon Gabriel‘s growth.
Despite limited game action, Sanders is fully aware of areas where he can improve. He impressed during his first preseason start against the Carolina Panthers, passing for 138 yards and two touchdowns before an oblique injury curtailed his momentum.
His final preseason game proved more challenging, as he completed just three passes and was sacked five times, prompting the Browns to substitute him late in a critical two-minute drill.
Reflecting on his rookie experience so far, Sanders shared, “I feel like I can improve in many areas. Every day brings new lessons, both on and off the field. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here and continue learning.”
The Browns now prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens, where Sanders is not expected to dress, but his off-field popularity and potential suggest he remains a player to watch in the years ahead.
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