Johnny Manziel knows what it’s like to be under intense pressure as a young quarterback. The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner recently spoke out about Shedeur Sanders’ surprising draft fall to the Cleveland Browns. Manziel, who experienced his struggles with the same franchise, believes Sanders has what it takes to succeed where he couldn’t.
Johnny Manziel Believes Sanders Can Win Starting Job in Cleveland
“Honestly, he can come out and win the job, I think he’ll do well, I really do,” – @JManziel2 is rooting for Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland.
Manziel’s support for Sanders comes after the Colorado quarterback’s shocking slide to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Many expected Sanders to be selected in the first round, but he fell to pick 144, where Cleveland traded up to select him.
“Honestly he can come out and win the job, I think he’ll do well, I really do,” – @JManziel2 is rooting for Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/UwJ7yZc2c8
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 16, 2025
“I think a lot of guys in that position handled it as well as you possibly can with a smile on your face,” Manziel said about Sanders’ draft experience. “Even for me sitting and just waiting until the end of the first round was like, I don’t think I would have been able to handle it the way that he did.”
The previous Texas A&M star, who threw for 3,706 yards and 26 touchdowns during his historic Heisman campaign in 2012, believes, like Sanders, he is being handed a tremendous opportunity with a lot of weight on his shoulders. Both he and Sanders have faced immense scrutiny and expectations.
When asked about Sanders’ draft slide, Manziel pointed to perception issues. “Maybe he’s a little bit too loud at times. Like the quiet guy, the Geno type of guy who just comes in, it’s kind of under the radar,” he explained.
Sanders capped a stellar career at Colorado with a senior season in which he completed 74.1% of his passes for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns. Over his two seasons with the Buffaloes, he completed 504 of 681 passes for 7,364 yards, 64 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
KEEP READING: Browns’ QB Depth Chart: Can Shedeur Sanders Beat Out Joe Flacco and Co. Amid Heated 4-Way QB Battle?
Manziel, drafted 22nd overall by Cleveland in 2014, believes Sanders has advantages he didn’t have. “I think the kid works really hard. I think he loves the game of ball when it comes down to it,” Manziel said. “If you have a guy like that, that loves the game, obviously growing up around it his whole life, I think he’ll be successful.”
The Browns have four quarterbacks competing for the starting job, including veterans Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookie Dillon Gabriel. During minicamp, Sanders has already made an impression, with reports suggesting he “put the ball in some tight windows” and “threw with aggressiveness.”
With Cleveland’s long quarterback struggles, Sanders represents another chance for the franchise to find stabilization at the position.
