The Shedeur Sanders media frenzy continued long into mandatory minicamp this past week, with the Cleveland Browns having more focus on their offseason program than perhaps ever before. One NFL analyst has a theory about the ongoing media speculation surrounding the team.
Analyst Believes the Media Hype May Be ‘Manufactured’
Controversial talk show host Jason Whitlock did not hold back on the media conversation surrounding Sanders this week, as mandatory minicamp came to a close.
All week, there had been highlights and statistics posted about the popular rookie quarterback, who is being encouraged for the starting job with the Browns by just about everybody in the media.
Dillon Gabriel’s name has hardly been mentioned despite being drafted two rounds ahead of Sanders, and Whitlock is wondering how much of that is authentic or orchestrated by Sanders’ camp.
He started by pulling up a comment allegedly made by an assistant coach with the Browns, which claimed Sanders had dominated camp in a way he’d never seen in 15 years of coaching in the league.
Whitlock snapped back at the quote, saying, “I just don’t think this is the way assistant coaches talk.”
The analyst’s theory is that Deion Sanders’ name and media attention are churning the media to generate hype for his son.
“This is the Deion Sanders hype machine that has turned a fifth-round pick into one of the biggest stories in the National Football League. They’re turning him into gold chain-wearing Tim Tebow, and I think it’s going to blow up in their face.”
Whitlock is claiming that Deion and his camp are driving the engagement around Shedeur in order to generate more attention. He and his co-host went on to discuss the idea that many are afraid to speak out critically about the Sanders family in fear of losing their access or getting too much ‘blowback.’
The topic came up during speculation that either Gabriel or Sanders will be cut or traded before the season because the team can’t keep four quarterbacks on the roster. They made the point that that isn’t necessarily a story, considering most teams only take two QBs into the season, or three at the very maximum.
Cleveland’s QB Battle Must Be Settled Early
The Browns are going to need to decide on their QB1 at some point so that they’re not splitting reps between four quarterbacks for the duration of training camp and taking those reps away from the starter.
Some believe Joe Flacco’s experience would lead to him starting the year before one of the young quarterbacks takes over once he is further integrated into the system.
Flacco carries 17 seasons of NFL experience into the Browns QB room and has already developed a relationship with Sanders. While he’s refused the idea that he’s a mentor, he did say he can share a lot of his knowledge and hoped the young quarterbacks in the room would take it on board.
If that continues into the season, the Browns are going to have to cut one of Gabriel, Sanders, or Kenny Pickett loose. While it may feel like a waste of a draft pick to do so, having more darts to throw at the board when it comes to finding a franchise quarterback may be a good thing.
Further to that, if the Browns don’t find a standout starter this season, they now have two draft picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ trade to select Travis Hunter. All four QBs are on the clock this season, and if the performance isn’t there, the Browns will be back in the mix for a QB in 2026.