A new chapter in the Shedeur Sanders saga has begun. With organized team activities (OTAs) in full swing in Berea, the young Cleveland Browns quarterback is facing a level of competition that could define his future-not just with the team, but in the NFL as a whole.
The past few months have been a roller coaster for Deion Sanders’ son. Once considered a top-three prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur fell to the fifth round, landing with the Browns-a shocking slide that tarnished his family legacy and clouded his professional future.
Now, just as he’s recovering from the bitter experience of his draft-day fall, Sanders faces another challenge: proving himself in a crowded quarterback room, where a fifth-round pick is far from guaranteed a roster spot.
An uphill battle for Shedeur
The Browns’ quarterback situation is one of the most competitive in the NFL. The team currently has four quarterbacks: Sanders, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookie Dillon Gabriel. The coaching staff will use OTAs to define the quarterback depth chart and-more importantly-decide who will be left off the main roster.
NFL insider James Palmer weighed in on Sanders’ uncertain status:
“Yes, it’s true that Shedeur Sanders isn’t a lock to make the roster. Fifth-round picks aren’t guaranteed a spot, so no, I don’t think he’s 100 percent safe.”
That assessment might sound worrisome for Shedeur, but every coin has two sides. His popularity offers a potential advantage.
“He’s currently one of the highest-selling jerseys in the NFL, and sometimes that kind of popularity plays a role, especially in the eyes of owners,” Palmer explained, giving the University of Colorado graduate a glimmer of hope.
But what about performance?
What OTAs reveal
Determined to overcome the stigma of his draft slide, Sanders is working hard to make a strong impression in his first team sessions. So far, he has displayed accuracy and composure, completing seven of nine passes with two touchdowns-despite receiving fewer reps than his teammates.
By comparison, Gabriel has completed 11 of 16 passes with two touchdowns and one interception. Meanwhile, Pickett-who currently holds the starting role in OTAs-has completed 9 of 16 passes without a touchdown, complicating the outlook for both Sanders and head coach Kevin Stefanski.
The road to the 2025 NFL season is long, and Sanders will have plenty of opportunities to prove that his draft-day fall was not a reflection of his talent as a quarterback. Will he rise through the ranks in the Browns’ competitive QB room? The answer will come this September.
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