Shedeur Sanders went from being the highest-paid non-penalty player in the country to being the star player in Cleveland. Now he is fighting to make the Browns’ roster this year.
Sanders shone on the field with the Buffaloes and thought he would make it to the NFL with a starting job. But just weeks after being selected 144th overall in the draft by Cleveland, his future in the league is anything but secure. Could Sanders be cut before Week 1? Here’s why that possibility is gaining momentum.
Sanders is last in the standings
Sanders is not only buried, but is fourth in the standings. Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and rookie Dillon Gabriel are ahead of him, while Deshaun Watson continues to recover from his Achilles injury from last year
Flacco is the presumed Week 1 starter, with Pickett and Gabriel as solid backups. Sanders, on the other hand, is a fifth-round prospect
In the NFL, that status often implies little job security. “We love to add competition,” said general manager Andrew Berry, which does not exactly translate into a long-term commitment.
Sanders seems to be the most expendable name
The Browns selected Gabriel 62 times before Sanders. Both quarterbacks were finalists for the Heisman last year, with Gabriel among the top four on stage in New York.
But the fact that the Oregon passer was taken almost two full rounds ahead of Sanders is a factor. That alone indicates who management values more. Unlike Sanders, Pickett cost Cleveland draft capital in a trade
In a league that rarely wastes investments, Sanders seems the most expendable name. As the lowest-drafted quarterback on the roster, and with no clear development plan, he could easily become a victim of the numbers.
The Culture Shift from Prime Time to Pro Grind
In Colorado, Sanders was the face of the program and had the backing of head coach Deion Sanders, who protected the play-calling structure in his favor and filled him with confidence. In Cleveland, he is just another arm in the camp
He threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns in his final college season, but none of that guarantees success under the pressure of the NFL. If he doesn’t impress quickly, he could be out of the roster altogether.
Shedeur’s NFL career could begin with an unpleasant surprise. Colorado fans should brace themselves for the very real possibility that their former star will be cut before the start of the regular season. If that happens, other NFL teams could see value in Sanders. Otherwise, he could become the face of the CFL.
However, the Browns should consider all options in this situation. Sanders has already brought the “Prime Effect” to Cleveland, leading the league in jersey sales
His popularity would generate more revenue for the Browns, but is it worth a roster spot with four quarterbacks on the roster? Stay tuned to see what happens.
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