The Cleveland Browns entered 2025 with a quarterback competition unlike anything seen in recent memory. Four players vying for one job, including a rookie whose famous last name had critics predicting chaos before he ever took a snap.
The question everyone wanted answered: Would QB Shedeur Sanders bring the circus to Cleveland, or could he quietly earn his place in the NFL?
Did Shedeur Sanders Create a ‘Circus’ in Cleveland’s QB Room?
Choosing a starting quarterback is the most important decision any NFL team must make to ensure success, whether for the long-term future or just a single season, as seems to be the case in Cleveland.
It’s rare to see such an open competition involving four quarterbacks. Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Sanders all have a shot at winning the job, although the ex-Colorado Buffalo has seen the fewest reps with the starters.
Since his arrival, there were questions about whether his fame would bring too much attention and potentially disrupt the team’s plans.
However, according to Browns analyst Nathan Zegura, the “circus” some feared Sanders might bring hasn’t materialized. The competition is happening on the field, without the noise that could sway decisions or pressure the coaching staff into rushing or changing their plans.
📞”It’s tough to get 4 guys first team reps… but I do think he’s earned the opportunity. He throws an incredibly good ball.”@NathanZegura tells the guys on @KenCarmanShow how impressed he’s been with Shedeur Sanders so far in camp.
🔊: https://t.co/E70PEp3ZxO pic.twitter.com/UOlEcJrZrJ
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 1, 2025
“I’ve been very very impressed with him, and, you know, all people say ‘It’s gonna be a circus, it’s gonna be a circus.’ Absolutely nothing, he comes in, he works really hard, and he’s done a great job,” Zegura said.
The concerns weren’t unfounded. There were questions about whether Sanders’ strong personality might become a problem in the locker room, stemming from his intense pre-draft process, where he fell from a projected first-round pick to a fifth-round selection. By that time, Cleveland had already drafted another quarterback.
Adding to these concerns, post-draft controversies such as Sanders’ traffic violations only reinforced the expectation that his presence might bring unnecessary attention to a complex situation in Cleveland. The Browns not only have to choose a starter but might also have to trade or cut one of the other three quarterbacks before the season begins.
How Has Shedeur Sanders’ Performance Changed the Narrative?
Despite the pre-camp skepticism, Zegura says Sanders has not been a distraction at all. The rookie quarterback has been performing well in practice and could slowly win over the coaching staff, especially if one of the other quarterbacks fails to meet expectations.
“It’s tough to get four guys first-team reps. So I understand why it probably hasn’t happened yet (for Sanders), but I do think he has earned the opportunity because he throws an incredibly good ball, a very catchable ball, and he’s just so accurate, his ball placement is excellent,” Zegura added.
You can doubt Shedeur Sanders all you want.
I will not. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CCGE6hL7gd
— Nick Karns (@karnsies817) July 30, 2025
For now, Sanders seems headed toward the bottom of the depth chart, but things can change quickly in the NFL.
In 2022, Brock Purdy made the 49ers’ final roster as the third quarterback despite limited opportunities and beat out veteran Nate Sudfeld. When he got his shot during the season, he never looked back and eventually led San Francisco to the NFC Championship Game.
There’s no guarantee the same will happen for Sanders, but history shows a rookie quarterback with limited reps can earn his place when given the chance. It all depends on what he does with the few chances he gets to prove himself worthy of a larger role in Cleveland’s crowded quarterback room.
