Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has been a fan favorite in Cleveland since the team selected him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. After the preseason, he made the final 53-man roster and was listed as the team’s third quarterback, giving many fans hope that he could eventually take over as the starter.
However, his future in Cleveland appears increasingly uncertain after a Browns analyst highlighted some concerning news about how the team is using him.
Browns Criticized for Questionable Use of Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
Sanders, selected by the Browns with the No. 144 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, was listed as the team’s third-string quarterback following his first NFL training camp and preseason.
It isn’t exactly the spot Sanders or his supporters had hoped for, but being listed behind 40-year-old veteran Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel still left hope that the former Colorado star could eventually get his turn as the Browns’ starter in 2025.
However, that opportunity appears to be shrinking, as Browns analyst Tony Rizzo revealed that he’s heard Sanders hasn’t even been running reps with the scout team this season and is instead watching from the sideline, prompting Rizzo to question why he is even on the roster.
“I’m hearing Shedeur isn’t even running scout team, he’s literally watching everyone… why is he on the team, why is he here?,” – @TheRealTRizzo on what he’s hearing about Shedeur Sanders. pic.twitter.com/Mtx6bs0rZL
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) September 11, 2025
“I’m hearing Shedeur is not even running scout team,” Rizzo said. “He’s literally watching everyone play. Bailey Zappe is running scout team? I don’t know if that’s true, that’s what I’m hearing. Why is he [Sanders] on the team? Why is he [Sanders] even here?”
“Because his jersey is selling?” Rizzo questioned. “The Haslams don’t need jersey money, do they?”
While Rizzo’s report is surprising, it’s important to note that the analyst admits he doesn’t know if it’s true. Still, if it is, his question about why the Browns keep Sanders on the roster is valid.
On August 28, the Browns signed Bailey Zappe, a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, to their practice squad. It’s possible that Zappe is running the scout team over Sanders.
Sanders’ lack of practice reps would be a major red flag, as it essentially means Zappe has a better chance of seeing playing time than the young quarterback. It would be a clear mishandling of a rookie the team invested draft capital in.
While Sanders might not be an NFL-caliber starter, if Rizzo’s report is confirmed, it would suggest the team doesn’t even view him as a serviceable backup.
If that’s the case, Rizzo is absolutely right. The Browns must consider moving Sanders elsewhere and promoting Zappe from the practice squad, rather than wasting the rookie quarterback’s first NFL season.
