Shedeur Sanders finds himself as the third-string quarterback on the Cleveland Browns depth chart heading into Week 4. The fifth-round pick told ESPN Cleveland on Thursday that he’s “not comfortable” with his position on the Browns as a scout team quarterback.
“I remain in focus, remain in mind on the complete mission, not really getting comfortable,” Sander said. “I’m not comfortable being a scout team player. Honestly, that’s my situation. So you know, I’m gonna make the best of it and enjoy my moments. But overall, this isn’t my end goal. Like I’m just enjoying myself, learning, doing everything I have to do, just ready for my opportunity.”
When he looks at quarterback play around the league this season, Sanders said he believes he could play better than some starters. For now, the Browns have him playing behind veteran quarterback Joe Flacco and backup rookie Dillon Gabriel.
The Cleveland Browns haven’t promoted Shedeur Sanders
Sanders said that he believes God has a plan for him, and he’s trying to stay positive despite not being where he wants to be in his early career.
“Don’t let that dictate, you know, my mindset each and every day, because you don’t know what could happen,” Sanders said of his place on the depth chart. “So it’s really, just keeping in mind, just staying locked in.”
The former Colorado Buffaloes standout went 17-of-29 passing for 152 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions during the preseason. Despite being thought of as a potential Round 1 pick by some scouts, Sanders fell to Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. So far, the Browns haven’t been impressed enough to move him ahead of Gabriel, who they took in the third round.
Sanders’ comments on Thursday were honest, and it’ll be interesting to see how the Browns handle them. Will Cleveland keep Sanders in a position he doesn’t like? Could they trade him?
Sanders showed flashes of talent during the preseason. But his leadership and maturity were questioned this summer. Based on his interview on Thursday, his choice of words could make other league teams skeptical of taking a chance on a promising but flawed quarterback.
