Shedeur Sanders entered the NFL with significant attention following his collegiate career at Colorado.
Drafted by the Cleveland Browns, the rookie quarterback has become the subject of discussion not for his on-field production but for his role within the team’s structure. Heading into Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens, Sanders remains a developmental player rather than a contributor on game day, and uncertainty continues to surround his usage.
The Browns’ quarterback depth chart is firmly established. Veteran Joe Flacco leads the unit, while rookie Dillon Gabriel occupies the backup role. Sanders has been designated as the emergency option, positioned ahead of practice squad addition Bailey Zappe, but not expected to see action unless multiple injuries occur.
With the team emphasizing stability under center, Sanders is unlikely to be elevated to the starting position in the near term.
Speculation around his responsibilities intensified this week when Cleveland insider Tony Rizzo questioned why Sanders appeared to be sidelined even during practice.
Rizzo argued that the 23-year-old was not taking part in scout-team duties, suggesting his presence on the roster might be tied more to marketability than development. The commentary sparked debate among Browns followers about how the organization intends to integrate its young quarterback.
Browns’ staff offers clarification
Quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave addressed the criticism directly, refuting the claim that Sanders has been idle. According to Musgrave, Sanders, Gabriel, and Zappe rotate through scout-team assignments depending on practice needs.
The purpose, he explained, is twofold: to prepare the defense for upcoming opponents and to allow the quarterbacks to connect those repetitions back to Cleveland’s own offensive approach. In his view, the system provides “double duty,” ensuring the backups gain meaningful practice experience while supporting the team’s weekly game plan.
Despite this clarification, doubts remain outside the organization. Critics point to Zappe’s frequent use in scout situations as evidence that Sanders is not being prioritized. Combined with the Browns’ decision to trade away Kenny Pickett shortly before the season opener and add Zappe as depth, the arrangement has fueled perceptions that Sanders’ path to relevance in Cleveland is narrowing.
The conversation has extended beyond practice routines to Sanders’ long-term prospects. While the team has offered no indication of a trade, voices such as Rizzo have openly urged the Browns to release him if there is no intention to provide a real opportunity. He has argued that keeping Sanders solely as a symbolic or commercial figure does little to benefit either the player or the franchise.
For now, the Browns are focused on their Week 2 matchup against Baltimore, which coincides with the Ravens’ 30th anniversary in the city. Yet even as the spotlight should be on divisional competition, Sanders remains at the center of media attention. The debate over his utilization underscores the tension between managing a rookie quarterback’s development and meeting the immediate demands of a contending team.
Unless circumstances change in the quarterback room, Sanders’ rookie season will likely remain one of limited visibility. Whether his future involves eventual progression within Cleveland’s system or a fresh start elsewhere is an open question.
What is clear is that, two weeks into the season, Sanders has become one of the Browns’ most discussed players despite having yet to take the field in a regular-season game.
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