When a fifth-round rookie quarterback struggles to crack the starting lineup, it typically goes unnoticed. But nothing about Shedeur Sanders’ situation with the Cleveland Browns follows typical patterns.
The son of Colorado coach Deion Sanders arrived with massive expectations, yet finds himself firmly planted at the bottom of Cleveland’s quarterback depth chart as training camp unfolds. While the headlines might seem shocking, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated believes that the situation may not be as surprising.
Why Is Shedeur Sanders Struggling in the Browns’ Quarterback Competition?
Breer reported that Sanders will not be starting the season opener and noted that, based on months of evaluation, he still lags in key areas of football knowledge and readiness.
The concerns about Sanders didn’t emerge overnight. Before the draft, several teams observed that Sanders still had significant gaps in his football knowledge and overall understanding of the game.
An anecdote from his meeting with the New York Giants illustrated his frustration when he struggled with concepts in real time.
Shedeur Sanders’ team reps from Saturday’s training camp practice. What do you notice? pic.twitter.com/EokVL5ahTU
— The Dawgs – A Cleveland Browns Podcast (@thedawgspodcast) July 27, 2025
Once Sanders entered the Browns’ offseason program, those gaps in development became more evident. Breer pointed out that Sanders’ showing during the offseason ultimately placed him at the bottom tier of the quarterback competition, ranking fourth on the depth chart.
Meanwhile, fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel stands as a stark contrast. The sixth-year college player impressed evaluators with strong instincts and a sharp football IQ, even if his physical skill set drew some questions. The difference in readiness between Gabriel and Sanders became clear early in the evaluation process.
What Makes This QB Competition Particularly Challenging for Sanders?
Adding to Sanders’ uphill climb, the Browns’ training camp structure has limited opportunities for equal competition. According to Breer, “the Browns don’t have enough work to go around to make this a completely even competition.”
With most first-team reps going to Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett before Pickett’s short-term hamstring injury, the remaining snaps primarily fell to Gabriel. Sanders was effectively left without significant reps to prove himself, creating a cycle where limited opportunities make it difficult to demonstrate improvement.
This structure puts Sanders in a particularly tough spot. Without meaningful practice snaps, he can’t showcase progress or build the rhythm necessary to compete for higher positioning on the depth chart.
Breer emphasized that Sanders’ situation isn’t unprecedented but remains unusual given the level of attention surrounding him. “I can’t recall any fifth-round rookie quarterback receiving starter reps at the start of training camp over my two decades covering the league, without an injury or some other unusual circumstance,” Breer observed.
The scrutiny, he suggested, comes down to two key factors: “One is Sanders’ last name. The other is the inflated view that many people had for months.” That combination has created expectations that don’t align with typical development timelines for late-round draft picks.
MORE: NFL Analyst Argues Shedeur Sanders Hype Is All Because He’s Deion Sanders’ Son
The bottom line, according to Breer, is that Sanders faces the typical uphill battle expected of a fifth-round pick, only under far brighter lights than most rookies experience.
While it may appear harsh to see him sitting at the bottom of the Browns’ depth chart, the reality reflects standard team priorities. The coaching staff is focusing on team readiness and long-term quarterback development rather than creating an artificially even playing field.
For Sanders, the path forward isn’t about claiming a starting role in the near term. Instead, it’s about steady improvement and maximizing the limited opportunities he receives.
