Rising Rookie: Shedeur Sanders and the Browns’ Quarterback Gamble in 2025

Introduction

As the Cleveland Browns prepare for the 2025 NFL season, few storylines are more compelling than the quarterback situation — and more specifically, the emergence of rookie Shedeur Sanders. Drafted in the fifth round, Sanders enters a uniquely volatile depth chart shaken by injuries and inconsistency. Despite his mid-round status, the combination of pedigree, potential, and circumstance may thrust him into a starring role far earlier than expected.

The Quarterback Landscape in Cleveland

The Browns face an unusual quarterback conundrum. Their presumed starter, Deshaun Watson, is sidelined with a long-term injury. To compensate, the team signed 40-year-old Joe Flacco, traded for former Steelers starter Kenny Pickett, and selected two rookies: Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

This crowded room is not just a training camp formality — it’s a wide-open competition, with no clear long-term answer. Flacco offers veteran leadership but limited upside. Pickett, while young, failed to inspire confidence in Pittsburgh. Gabriel is raw. In contrast, Sanders combines NFL mechanics, leadership, and name recognition — all reasons why his stock is climbing.

Rookie Minicamp: A Strong First Impression

During rookie minicamps, Sanders emerged as the standout performer among the newcomers. Reports from outlets including ESPN and NFLDraftDiamonds highlighted his superior arm strength, rhythm in play-action drills, and control of offensive concepts.

In comparison, fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel struggled with timing and accuracy. Sanders looked not only more NFL-ready but more confident — especially in pre-snap reads and intermediate throws.

Analyst Dan Orlovsky praised Sanders’ fit in Kevin Stefanski’s offense, which is at its best with a play-action-heavy approach. If the Browns revert to this system, Sanders may naturally rise.

Scheme Fit and Coaching Alignment

Kevin Stefanski's most effective years as Browns head coach came when the team operated a balanced offense — featuring play-action passes, zone runs, and mid-field passing. Deshaun Watson's improvisational style clashed with this structure.

Sanders, by contrast, fits the system’s architecture. At Colorado, he thrived on anticipation throws and showed the discipline required in structured play-calling. This alignment strengthens his case for seeing the field, especially if Stefanski decides to double down on what has worked for him in the past.

Media Split: Is Sanders Ready?

Opinions are divided on whether Sanders should — or will — start in 2025.

Optimists like Colin Cowherd and ESPN Cleveland’s Aaron Goldhammer believe Sanders could start by midseason or even Week 1. They cite his growing command and owner Jimmy Haslam’s interest in energizing the fanbase.

Veteran Browns reporter Tony Grossi, however, remains cautious. He views Sanders as a “developmental quarterback,” citing concerns about experience and the speed of NFL defenses.

This tension — between expectation and patience — defines Sanders’ early NFL narrative.

Competitor Breakdown: Pickett and Flacco

Kenny Pickett

Though young and mobile, Pickett enters Cleveland after a disappointing tenure in Pittsburgh. He never found consistency and now enters a QB room where he is neither the oldest nor most promising option. Unless he has a standout camp, Pickett could quickly fall behind.

Joe Flacco

A respected veteran, Flacco offers leadership and reliability, but his age and limitations cap the offense’s ceiling. He may begin the season as the starter, but few expect him to finish it.

This dynamic gives Sanders an opening: perform in practice, stay ready, and wait for opportunity — which may come sooner than later.

Ownership and Marketing Influence

Owner Jimmy Haslam has a history of intervening in football decisions, especially when the team struggles or needs a public boost. Sanders — with a famous name, charisma, and early media buzz — offers significant marketing value. If Cleveland starts slowly, Haslam could push for a midseason quarterback switch.

Such a move wouldn’t be surprising; the franchise has cycled through quarterbacks quickly in past years, and the pressure to find a franchise player remains high.

Risks of Early Exposure

Despite the positive indicators, starting a rookie quarterback too soon carries significant risks:

• Confidence erosion due to poor protection or losses.

• Limited chemistry with starters and a learning curve for defensive reads.

• Potential long-term damage if development is mishandled.

For Sanders, the key lies in balancing opportunity with preparation. The Browns must tread carefully — not delaying progress, but not rushing potential either.

Possible Timelines

There are four plausible paths for Sanders in 2025:

1. Week 1 Starter: A long shot but possible if he dominates preseason and others falter.

2. Midseason Starter: Most likely if the Browns are underperforming.

3. Late-Season Evaluation: If playoff hopes fade, the team may use final games to assess Sanders.

4. Redshirt Year: Least likely unless Flacco and Pickett overperform.

Conclusion

Shedeur Sanders may have entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick, but his rise in Cleveland feels inevitable. The combination of team needs, his skillset, and external pressures create a ripe environment for a rookie breakthrough.

If he capitalizes on preseason and early practice opportunities, Sanders could rewrite the expectations for mid-round quarterbacks — and possibly help lead the Browns into a new era.