The Cleveland Browns willingly welcomed the media circus accompanying Shedeur Sanders when they selected him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Local media members formed their own opinions of the Colorado product during the pre-draft process, and at least one has changed his mind after realizing that the media created the drama around Sanders.
Is Shedeur Sanders Already Changing People’s Opinions in Cleveland?
Sanders endured the most precipitous fall in NFL Draft history. He excelled in his final season at Colorado, throwing for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2024, but questions remained about Sanders’ arm strength and athleticism. Concerns about his attitude and some poor pre-draft interviews didn’t help his case.
Some saw his fall to the fifth round as well-deserved, given his perceived attitude. Cleveland traded for Kenny Pickett, signed Joe Flacco, and drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round, so Sanders is currently fourth in the team’s crowded quarterback room.
Since arriving in Cleveland, Sanders has done nothing but work. This has led local radio host Chris Oldach to somewhat change his opinion on Sanders as the Browns’ OTA schedule continues.
Nick Paulus posted a clip of Oldach on X with the “Paw & Paulus” co-host saying, “My opinion has changed to the standpoint that the kid’s just gonna come in and work. Whether or not he’s a good quarterback, no one has the answer to that yet. You might believe he’s going to be a good quarterback, you might not, and that’s fine. I’m not here to challenge your opinion of the talent.
Has your opinion changed on Shedeur Sanders since the Browns drafted him?@TheOGPAW – “Yes, the kid is just going to come in & work.. All the drama, is by us (The Media)”@NickPaulus – “No, I always viewed him as a hard worker & the most talented QB on the team”@ESPNCleveland pic.twitter.com/9Pei7IU2Qu
— Nick Paulus (@NickPaulus) June 1, 2025
“I’m asking just about the guy. There’s been no drama around him specifically. Any drama, guess what, we’re [the media] guilty of creating the drama more than Shedeur Sanders himself.”
This is a step in the right direction for Sanders. At this point, all he can do is prove that he deserves to be on the field and let the media craft their opinions based on his performance.
Sanders led all of the FBS in completion percentage last year (74.0%) and brought Colorado back to national prominence in his two years there. More importantly, his numbers suggest that he can be a competent NFL quarterback.
Sanders had attention, but the Cleveland media did not help the situation and stirred up even more drama since his arrival.
Oldach referenced a graphic chart (below) breaking down each of Cleveland’s four quarterbacks’ performances from one day of practice. Based on the numbers, Sanders had the best day of the four. However, it’s since come out that he received fewer reps than the other three, and his were only in 7-on-7.
Browns practice is in the books. Here’s how all 4 QBs stacked up with their throwing reps in team drills 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/NsIZmjQSy3
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) May 28, 2025
Such a development led to a narrative that Sanders wasn’t getting a fair shot to prove himself. But it was the media that brought it on, not the quarterback.
Sanders, like Gabriel, has a hard enough path to securing the Browns’ starting job. As training camp and preseason games begin, closing out the outside noise will be critical for him.
