Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football celebrity to NFL quarterback has taken an uncertain turn in Cleveland. Despite carrying name recognition and future potential, the former Colorado Buffaloes standout may face a harsh reality at the start of his pro career, one that calls for patience, not pressure.
Mike Tannenbaum Says Joe Flacco Is The Clear Choice for Week 1
The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback room is one of the NFL’s most crowded and contentious heading into the 2025 season. Veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, along with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Sanders, are all vying for the starting job. But early signs out of minicamp suggest Sanders is a long shot to line up under center when the Browns host the Bengals in Week 1.
Former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum added his voice to the discussion during a recent segment on NFL on ESPN. When asked who should start in Week 1, he didn’t hesitate.
“Joe Flacco. We’re looking at him right here, guys. 191 career regular season starts, and their schedule is remarkably different. They start off with Cincinnati, Baltimore, Green Bay, Detroit, and Minnesota,” Tannenbaum said. “Look, Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel, their two rookie quarterbacks may be their future, but as the ultimate bridge quarterback with that sort of brutal start, let’s go with Joe Flacco and all those starts.”
Tannenbaum’s reasoning points to more than just experience. It’s mostly survival. Cleveland’s early schedule is among the toughest in the league. Trusting a raw rookie against top-tier defenses could derail confidence and momentum before it’s even built.
Notably, Sanders didn’t receive first-team reps during OTAs, unlike the other three quarterbacks. And while Sanders remains a high-profile figure due to his pedigree as the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, he fell to the fifth round in the 2025 NFL Draft, behind Gabriel, who was selected in the third.
Shedeur Sanders Faces Steep QB Battle in Cleveland
Despite the odds, Sanders is taking a measured approach. “I got time to actually be able to really have a great understanding,” he said earlier in June. “Whenever it’s time for me to play, then it’s time for me to play. But I’m not looking too far in the future… I’m focused on the small things and over time the big things will happen.”
Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson, still recovering from an Achilles re-injury, has taken on a mentorship role. He’s reportedly “taken Shedeur under his wing,” offering guidance as Sanders works through the rookie learning curve.
SHEDEUR SANDERS just arrived to OT7 🚨
He linked up with RG3 🤞 @ShedeurSanders @RGIII pic.twitter.com/vXGyPr9Bpl
— Overtime (@overtime) June 29, 2025
With Watson sidelined indefinitely, the Browns face a delicate balancing act to develop two young quarterbacks while fielding a competitive team in a high-pressure AFC North.
The quarterback competition will ramp up during training camp in late July. Until then, the message from inside and outside the organization is clear: Patience with Sanders may be the smarter play, even if fans are eager for fireworks.
