Shedeur Sanders Breaks Silence on Who Will be the Starting QB for Browns

The Cleveland Browns are continuing to evaluate their options at quarterback for the 2025–26 NFL season. 

The current quarterback room includes veteran Joe Flacco, fourth-year player Kenny Pickett, third-round pick Dillon Gabriel (94th overall) and fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders (144th overall).

Towards the end of last year's college football season, initial draft projections had Sanders as a potential first-round pick, even a top-ten overall pick. During the NFL draft, however, Sanders remained on the board through the first two days, into the third. Eventually, Cleveland selected him in the fifth round.

While at the University of Colorado, he drew attention on and off the field all season. On the field, he threw for 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2024. While off the field, he released his hit single, "Perfect Timing," initiating a national trend surrounding his signature pose of flexing his watch.

Meanwhile, in minicamp, the former Buffalo reportedly made an impression, consistently delivering accurate throws and making several plays.

Shedeur Sanders throws at rookie minicamp.

© Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On Monday, Sanders visited a youth football camp in Cleveland. Kids swarmed him with excitement, and one asked him point-blank, "Are you starting or is Joe Flacco starting?" While another asked, "Who's your guys' starting quarterback?" 

"We got preseason first," The fifth-round pick replied, suggesting the team is taking a step-by-step approach.

The Browns are expected to reduce their quarterback room before Week 1, with one of the four players likely to be cut from the roster, CBS reports.

Sanders is well aware that every day is a battle to secure a roster spot, and coach Stefanski had nothing but good things to say about him.