CU legend Shedeur Sanders' Browns starting debut may come within weeks, ESPN Cleveland says

The Cleveland Browns selected Shedeur Sanders in the NFL Draft back in April, but recent reports suggest he was originally expected to join the Baltimore Ravens. According to those reports, the Ravens intended to draft Sanders, but he asked them not to—leading to the Browns picking him instead. This revelation has sparked backlash.

“I think this is insane. ... At this point you're in the fifth round. I understand you had higher hopes, but you've dropped to the fifth round and you're thinking about being a starting quarterback the next year. I think this is incredibly shortsighted. ... You want to go to a good organization where you can develop and reach your potential,” Smith said on Sunday NFL Countdown.

The criticism hasn’t been limited to Shedeur. His father, Deion Sanders, has also come under fire. Many blame Deion for shaping a perception that the NFL mistreated his son—especially in light of Shedeur's current situation in Cleveland.

“Deion outta be ashamed of himself boy. He had this app really arguing that the NFL was blackballing the kid,” Breiden Fehoko posted.

While Shedeur has yet to see any real opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback job, one ESPN Cleveland reporter believes his chance might be coming soon—possibly within the next couple of weeks.

“Shedeur might be in there by the time we land in London,” ESPN’s Aaron Goldhammer said.

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The Browns are scheduled to face the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5, which means that potential opportunity is right around the corner. For now, Sanders is active on game days but serves as the team's emergency quarterback.

If he does get the nod by Week 5, it would signal a major shift in the quarterback room. Dillon Gabriel may need to get his shot sooner rather than later—or he may have to wait even longer. Either way, if Shedeur takes the field in London, it won't be long before we find out whether he’s ready to take on the role.