Tyler Huntley’s surprise arrival in Cleveland has turned up the heat on rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders in ways nobody expected. With this signing, announced Tuesday, the Browns brought in a veteran who could push Sanders further down the depth chart at the worst possible time.
With preseason games starting and evaluation windows closing fast, one analyst thinks Sanders is running out of chances to prove he belongs.
What Does Tyler Huntley’s Signing Mean for Shedeur Sanders’ Future?
The Browns didn’t bring in Huntley as a camp arm, at least not in the traditional sense.
According to Ken Carman on “The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima,” Huntley’s experience and knowledge of multiple NFL systems make him the ideal short-term option to carry the load through Cleveland’s first preseason contest.
“You’re not gonna put Shedeur out there for an entire game,” Carman said on-air. “Especially because he says he has arm soreness… that’d be unfair, I mean, that’s crazy.”
🏈”Maybe the Wednesday practice (vs Panthers) becomes even bigger… I don’t think he’s out of the running for this team, they’ll keep him. Maybe they believe he’s further behind than I would like.”
🚨@KenCarman on how the Tyler Huntley signing affects Shedeur Sanders. pic.twitter.com/2A3t3qkF1f
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 5, 2025
But Carman’s real concern goes deeper than just preseason reps. He emphasized that the evaluation window may come even earlier, during practice sessions against the first-team defense.
“Maybe the Wednesday practice becomes even bigger for him…going up against the ones,” he said. “I don’t think he’s on a bubble. I think they’ll keep him. But maybe they believe he’s a little further behind than what I’d like.”
For a quarterback who began the NFL Draft cycle as a projected top-10 pick, it’s been a dramatic fall. Sanders is fourth on the depth chart behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. Adding Huntley makes five quarterbacks competing for roster spots — an unusually crowded situation that puts even more pressure on Sanders to stand out.
How Is Shedeur Sanders Handling the Mounting Pressure?
Injuries have complicated the Browns’ quarterback logjam. Both Pickett and Gabriel have dealt with health issues, along with Sanders’ own arm soreness, forcing Cleveland to constantly shuffle practice reps. This instability makes it harder for any quarterback to build rhythm or show consistency.
However, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson sees the situation differently. The former NFL receiver weighed in during Monday’s episode of Nightcap, pushing back against any panic about Sanders’ place in the organization.
“They’re trying to break him,” Johnson said. “That’s all it is. From the draft process to now…come on with that bulljive, man.”
Despite the swirling questions and added competition, Sanders isn’t letting the noise affect his approach. He returned to practice Monday after missing time with arm soreness and delivered the kind of mature, measured response that shows why Cleveland invested a draft pick in him.
Even with the emotional weight of his father Deion Sanders’ health battle with blood clots — and most recently bladder cancer — adding stress to an already challenging situation, the rookie remains focused on what he can control.
“I don’t care what O-line I go out there with,” Sanders told reporters. “It could be ones, twos, threes, whatever the situation is.”
That mindset will be tested immediately. Sanders continues to battle through limited practice reps, veteran competition, and the weight of expectations that come with his famous last name.
His preseason debut may be brief, but if he makes the most of whatever opportunities come his way, he could flip the script before the regular season arrives. The clock is ticking, and everyone in Cleveland is watching to see how he responds.
