Shedeur Sanders’ status in Browns QB race gets major update from veteran NFL Insider
Shedeur Sanders started his rookie career as the fifth-string quarterback on the Cleveland Browns depth chart. The Colorado Buffaloes product was listed behind Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel as per the ESPN depth chart.
However, some stellar performances in OTAs and mandatory minicamp has seen Sanders earn significant buzz ahead of his debut season as a professional. NFL insider Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot has a significant update on Sanders status in the Browns quarterback race.
According to Pro Football Network, Cabot said:
"If Shedeur Sanders continues to progress in training camp like he has over the past two weeks, he will narrow the gap on the other three Browns quarterbacks (Flacco, Pickett, and Gabriel) in the competition."
The veteran insider continued:
"After a bit of a slow start in spring practices, Sanders has come on strong over the last two weeks with plenty of completions, TD passes and grasp of the offensive scheme."
Cabot added,
"Granted, he is still the fourth-team quarterback and has a long way to go. But he has made significant strides during recent organized team activities and the mandatory minicamp, remaining alive in the competition."
Deshaun Watson is out of the running for the Week 1 starting job due to an Achilles injury sustained in the 2024 regular season. So, Flacco, Pickett, and fellow rookie Gabriel are the players ahead of Shedeur Sanders on the chart.
Cabot pointed out the steady progress and improving grasp of Kevin Stefanski's system. Sanders' progression in minicamp and preseason will be crucial if he's making the team's active roster and potentially get a shot at the QB1 spot.
How did Shedeur Sanders perform in OTAs?
Shedeur Sanders participated in five open practice sessions in his first taste of action with the Cleveland Browns. The Browns selected Sanders with the 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
According to Sports Illustrated, Sanders recorded a stat line of 41-for-53 made passes (77.4%), nine touchdowns, and one interception. In comparison, fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel went 48-for-83 (57.8%) and eight touchdowns. Veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett recorded two and seven touchdowns, respectively.
Shedeur Sanders was initially projected to be an early Day 1 pick in this year's draft. He eventually went undrafted until the fifth round when the Browns opted to take a flier on his talent. He'll now look to further impress in the ongoing mandatory minicamp.