Shedeur Sanders has heard the noise. The doubters, the draft slide and the expectations that came with his last name. But if NFL analyst Herm Edwards is right, the rookie quarterback might be about to turn the Cleveland Browns’ depth chart upside down.
The former NFL head coach didn’t hold back in a recent radio appearance, offering a strong endorsement of Sanders’ potential and hinting that things could get very interesting once preseason kicks off.
NFL Analyst Herm Edwards Believes Sanders Will ‘Beat Those Guys Out’
Despite being a fifth-round pick, Sanders has made a strong early impression at the Browns mandatory minicamp. He was the only quarterback to receive no first team reps, yet posted the highest completion percentage and is said to have walked away with Mandatory Minicamp MVP honors, the first rookie in franchise history to do so.
Edwards, who has known Sanders since childhood, isn’t surprised. Speaking on 92.3 The Fan’s “Afternoon Drive,” Edwards said:
“He’s a pro. He knows how to do things. He’s going about it the right way. When the lights come on and they start playing in the preseason-look out.”
But it was what Edwards said next that raised eyebrows: “I think when the preseason starts, the eye test tells me, he’s going to find a way to beat those guys out.”
👀 Herm Edwards on Shedeur Sanders: pic.twitter.com/47MnxqRys0
— BrownsNation.com (@BrownsNationcom) June 12, 2025
That’s a bold statement, but not an uninformed one. Sanders has consistently stayed after practice for extra work and hasn’t complained about limited reps. His focus has been on maximizing every opportunity, not whining about what he can’t control.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has already taken notice. The former Colorado standout hasn’t looked like a rookie in camp and when the preseason arrives, he’ll have his shot to back up the buzz.
Is the Deion Sanders Factor a Help or Hindrance?
One wrinkle that can’t be ignored is the weight of his father’s legacy. Edwards acknowledged that Shedeur’s draft slide may have had more to do with perception than performance.
“I think the glare of who he is and who his father is made a lot of teams hesitant,” said Edwards.
Even so, Sanders’ resumé speaks for itself. He threw for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just three interceptions, despite leading the nation in sacks taken behind a struggling Colorado offensive line.
Now, he’s trying to do the improbable: leapfrog three other quarterbacks and take control of Cleveland’s QB room. If Edwards is right, the Browns may already have their quarterback of the future and the future might arrive faster than anyone expected.