Shedeur Sanders arrived in the NFL through the draft, but not in the early rounds as many had anticipated. Instead, he slid all the way down to the fifth round, ultimately being selected with the 144th overall pick. That drop caused uncertainty for both him and his family. In the end, it was the Cleveland Browns who picked him, and now, in one of those strange twists the Browns are known for, he finds himself competing for the starting quarterback role against two veterans, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett-and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.
Throughout the team’s minicamps, all four quarterbacks have been battling fiercely for the QB1 position. Each has tried to make the best impression possible in front of head coach Kevin Stefanski, hoping to earn the nod as the starter.
However, many analysts, insiders, and league observers now believe the starting job already has a name: Kenny Pickett, who served as a backup last season.
Second on the depth chart would then be the 40-year-old veteran Joe Flacco, leaving the final roster spot for a rookie. According to reports from those with access to Browns training sessions, that spot may not go to Shedeur Sanders, but rather to Dillon Gabriel. The distribution of practice reps reportedly reflects this current pecking order. With that scenario unfolding, Sanders’ exit from the team would appear imminent.
Silencing the CFL departure rumors
On Friday, July 4, sports journalist Mike Florio stepped in to address the rumors claiming Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders was on the CFL negotiation list with the Toronto Argonauts.
None of it matters unless and until Sanders washes out of the NFL and decides to roll the dice north of the border,”… “Chad Kelly has done it. Doug Flutie did it. Warren Moon and Joe Thesimann used CFL success as a springboard to NFL stardom.
Florio wrote, via NBC Sports.
If Sanders is ever playing for the Argonauts, it will mean that things will have gone very poorly for him in Cleveland, and possibly elsewhere. Regardless, the news currently making the rounds isn’t new. The Argonauts still have Shedeur’s negotiating rights. And Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead.
The path with the Browns isn’t an easy one. As previously reported, Sanders has impressed the coaching staff, but others believe the battle is already lost. The reality is that nothing has been finalized, and the competition for the starting role is still alive.
If the NFL doesn’t work out, the CFL may be a viable path
Florio also pointed out that Shedeur Sanders has the tools to succeed in the NFL. However, if things go south in Cleveland, the CFL could be a solid option to further develop his talent and eventually make a strong return-just like others before him.
Doug Flutie, for instance, revitalized his career with the Buffalo Bills after excelling in the CFL.
Shedeur’s rookie contract with the Browns
The player’s intention is to remain with Cleveland. His rookie contract is a four-year deal worth $4.6 million, including a signing bonus of $447,380. While that doesn’t guarantee his place on the roster, it does offer him some financial peace of mind.
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