Shedeur Sanders has been a commercial success for the Cleveland Browns ever since they picked him with the 144th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, but that gain can cause a major headache for the franchise moving forward.
The former Colorado Buffaloes superstar has the highest-selling jersey among rookies at the NFL’s official online shop. Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter is next on the list with Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward following in third, even though the former Miami Hurricanes standout was the No. 1 pick overall in the latest NFL Draft.
That puts an extra pressure to the Browns, who have a stacked quarterback locker room that includes two Super Bowl champions in veteran Joe Flacco – who won the Lombardy Trophy with the Baltimore Ravens – and Kenny Pickett – who won the championship with the Philadelphia Eagles. Former Oregon Ducks star Dillon Gabriel is also with the Ohio team.
Shedeur Sanders create a big problem for the Browns
The Cleveland Browns have not enjoyed much success as a franchise, being one of only four teams that have never appeared in a Super Bowl – including the Detroit Lions, the Houston Texans, and the Jacksonville Jaguars -, even though the Browns were founded in 1946.
So having a powerful name like Shedeur Sanders in your roster will guarantee that people will pay a ticket to see the quarterback play, as well as jersey sales and team’s apparel for years to come. The only problem? Shedeur does not have a spot guaranteed in the Browns‘ final 53-man roster, which teams need to send to the NFL by late August.
Experts and fans believe that Joe Flacco will be the starting quarterback on Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals at home on September 7h. Next in line, according to analysts, is Kenny Pickett, who got selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 20 pick overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. And a third option will be Dillon Gabriel, the first quarterback selected by the Browns. Teams don’t typically draft QBs with the intention of releasing them shortly after, so many believe that Cleveland will not get rid of Gabriel.
Sanders is not in Cleveland to prove people wrong
Shedeur Sanders‘ been putting the work in with this No. 12 jersey and helmet at the Cleveland Browns OTAs. “My job here isn’t to prove people wrong,” Sanders said. “It’s to prove myself right.” Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry said they viewed him as a highly accurate pocket passer and a player who protects the ball.
Sanders is keeping his focus on learning the Browns’ playbook and acclimating himself to his new team and the city of Cleveland. He has spent time around the other rookies, and Shedeur said he has enjoyed being back in a team environment with team bonding after a draft process that was more individualized.
Shedeur recognizes that he is now a part of a four-man quarterback competition. However, he holds the mindset of proving himself right. “In life and everything is just me versus me,” Sanders said. “I can’t control any other decision besides that, so I just try to be my best self.”
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