Former Colorado Buffaloes star Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback battle continues to make headlines. The fifth-round 2025 NFL Draft pick made waves thanks to an impressive performance at minicamp and hopes to build on that once the Browns’ training camp begins.
Sanders’ performance excited legendary receiver Chad Johnson, so much so that he mistakenly let a comment by Browns cornerback Denzel Ward slip on a recent edition of “Nightcap” with co-host Shannon Sharpe.
What Did Denzel Ward Say About Shedeur Sanders?
Sanders endured the highest-profile fall in recent history during the 2025 NFL Draft. The Browns selected him with the 144th overall pick, adding him to an extremely crowded quarterback room.
Cleveland traded for Kenny Pickett, re-signed Joe Flacco, and drafted Dillon Gabriel 50 picks ahead of Sanders. Deshaun Watson is still on the roster, but his status in 2025 is unclear after re-tearing his Achilles.
Sanders entered the Browns’ minicamp fourth on the depth chart. Some people questioned if Sanders was receiving the same amount of reps as the other Browns signal-callers. He proceeded to put together an impressive three days of minicamp and had the highest completion percentage (77.4%) among the four healthy Cleveland quarterbacks during the team’s open-to-the-media sessions.
His performance caught the eye of Johnson. The former NFL wide receiver let slip what Ward said, which was posted on X by a Browns fan account.
“I talked to Denzel Ward,” Johnson told Sharpe. “Damn, I shouldn’t have said his name. I talked to some people, he [Sanders] looked ‘different.’ There’s a difference when that young bull is out there spinnin’ that ball. I’m talking about football. I ain’t talking about media and all that hoopla.
Damn now we have a #Browns captain advocating for Shedeur Sanders to the media
Its not even July yet #DawgPound
pic.twitter.com/IDuRBGTGOO— Mac🦬 (@tha_buffalo) June 13, 2025
“When he’s at the helm, he looks different,” Johnson said. “Whether he’s going with the first team, second team, or third team. It don’t matter. I understand getting drafted in the fifth round. All that means nothing when it’s time to play football, and that whistle blows. He looks different than the rest of the competition. That’s what I heard.”
If Ward said that Sanders looks “different,” then that’s great for Sanders. If Johnson said it came from an unnamed player, then that would still be important for Sanders. But it likely wouldn’t have made the same impact.
Browns Need Sanders, Other QBs To Perform Well in 2025 After Disastrous Season
Cleveland’s offense was historically bad last season. They finished 32nd in PFSN’s Offense+ metric. Watson started the team’s first seven games, throwing for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions before tearing his Achilles and finishing last in PFSN’s QB+ metric.
Jameis Winston was exciting to watch, but he only managed to lead the Browns to two wins. In the offseason, the Browns’ quarterback plan appeared to be chaotic. But it looks like Flacco and Pickett will battle for the starting job while the rookies battle to prove themselves.
Sanders appears to have an advantage over Gabriel. A lot can change, though, between now and when the Browns open their NFL regular season.