The offseason felt quiet for a moment. Then Shedeur Sanders put himself back in the middle of the NFL conversation yet again.
On Monday, the NFL named the Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback a Pro Bowl alternate for the 2025 season. The move followed Drake Maye and the New England Patriots reaching the Super Bowl, which automatically opened a quarterback spot under league rules.
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For Sanders, it was another unexpected turn in a rookie year that never followed a straight line.
“I’m going to defend Shedeur’s stolen valor. It’s not stolen…
From draft slide to Pro Bowl label
Sanders entered the league with attention few rookies carry. Still, on draft night, he slid to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
His first season in Cleveland delivered mixed results. He showed confidence and flashes of upside, but inconsistency defined much of his play.
The Browns struggled throughout the year. They finished 5-12 and fired Kevin Stefanski after the regular season. Cleveland now enters the offseason searching for a new head coach and stability at every level.
That context makes Sanders’ Pro Bowl designation feel larger than a routine roster update.
Why the selection sparked backlash
Sanders joined Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers on the Pro Bowl quarterback list. That detail immediately drew scrutiny.
Critics pointed to Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars, widely viewed as an MVP contender in 2025. Lawrence had been named an alternate in December but remained off the activated list.
“NFL is smart… They saw every candidate turn down Cleveland and said no coach is going there unless they have a Pro Bowl QB. Expect Cleveland to have a coaching hire soon…
NFL analyst Jason Whitlock amplified the debate. On social media, he mocked the decision with an edited image of Sanders and wrote, “I’m going to defend Shedeur’s stolen valor. It’s not stolen.” The post spread quickly.
The reaction mirrored a larger issue. ESPN and The Athletic have reported on how the Pro Bowl has changed in recent seasons, shaped by opt-outs, replacements, and declining participation. Selection now often reflects availability and timing as much as performance.
A theory beyond football
Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Breidan Fehoko offered another explanation.
Posting on X, he suggested the league’s decision could help Cleveland’s coaching search. His logic was simple: a team labeled as having a “Pro Bowl quarterback” looks more appealing to potential hires.
Whether that theory holds up is unclear. But it highlights how Sanders’ selection has moved beyond football alone.
What it means for Sanders and Cleveland
Sanders remains an alternate, not a primary Pro Bowl selection. His participation depends on additional roster changes.
Still, the label follows him into the offseason. For Cleveland, it shapes perception during a rebuild. For Sanders, it raises expectations heading into Year 2.
The next chapter will be written on the field, not online. But the conversation around his name is not going away.
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