The Cleveland Browns took a gamble during the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round, hoping the former Colorado quarterback would prove to be a hidden gem.
But just weeks into his professional career, Sanders is already facing intense scrutiny over his behavior away from the field. Once projected as a first-round pick, Sanders has now found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Sanders was pulled over for speeding twice within two weeks. The second incident involved him driving over 100 miles per hour. What made matters worse was that he skipped his court date related to the first offense.
Now, he is due to appear in court again on July 3, and concerns about his maturity and accountability are spreading rapidly among fans and NFL insiders.
Former offensive lineman Ross Tucker voiced his disapproval on The Ross Tucker Podcast. Initially dismissing the first incident as minor, his opinion changed quickly.
“Last week when it came out that he got a speeding ticket, I said, ‘It’s not really that big a deal,'” Tucker explained. “I feel very differently about it now.
“The logic, or the mindset, to have gotten a speeding ticket and then, less than two weeks later, you’re driving over 100 miles an hour? Over 40 miles an hour over the speed limit?”
He added, “I don’t know if that’s entitlement or immaturity. There’s gotta be some teams that are feeling very good right now, that they didn’t draft him.”
Browns facing early questions as spotlight intensifies
The Browns have yet to release any public statement on Sanders’ legal issues, but questions are mounting inside and outside the organization.
The franchise also selected quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the same draft class, and so far, Gabriel’s quieter and more composed approach has won praise in minicamp.
According to longtime Browns analyst Tony Grossi, the two rookies are heading in very different directions.
“The drafting of Shedeur complicated the whole thing,” Grossi said on The Sick Podcast with Andy McNamara.
“With that came the unintended consequence of him being just an overwhelming favorite, externally by all his fans and fans of Colorado.”
Grossi contrasted the two quarterbacks, noting that Gabriel fits the mold of a traditional developmental backup, while Sanders brought a wave of attention with him from his time at Colorado under his father, Deion Sanders.
Gabriel, a multi-system college player, has impressed coaches with his patience and willingness to adapt. Sanders, on the other hand, is already seen as a distraction.
Sanders‘ persona, from flashy jewelry to viral highlights, has turned him into a celebrity before he has taken a professional snap.
Grossi believes this attention has disrupted the Browns’ internal quarterback evaluation. “The franchise quarterback is in next year’s draft,” he added, suggesting that both Gabriel and Sanders could be short-term projects rather than long-term solutions.
Despite the red flags, Sanders still has a chance to turn things around. His college career featured strong performances, leadership moments, and undeniable talent.
But at the NFL level, talent alone is not enough. If Sanders wants to be taken seriously, he must show growth off the field before he earns real trust on it.
His previous statement, “Whatever team drafts me, they’re gonna get someone who’s going to change the culture,” now reads more like a challenge than a promise.
The next few months will determine whether Sanders learns from his missteps or continues to drift further from the path expected of a professional quarterback.
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