Shedeur Sanders falling to the fifth round of the NFL Draft was a shock to almost everyone involved. However, as Tom Brady advised him after the draft, the real work is just beginning. And with a logjam in the quarterback room for the Cleveland Browns, Sanders has his work cut out for him to separate himself from the rest of the pack.
With the exception of Deshaun Watson, who’s out with an injury for the entire 2025 season, all three of Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, and Dillon Gabriel are competing against the Colorado superstar. But, in a recently released video from the Browns X page, fans believe he already has the approval of his locker room.
Fans Rejoice Over Shedeur Sanders’ Choices As QB1 for the Browns
The expectation, at least to begin the year, has to be that either Pickett or Flacco starts the year as the lead signal-caller. With both Gabriel and Sanders needing a developmental curve, it might be a while before the rookies start for Cleveland.
Even in that case, Gabriel being drafted 50 spots ahead of Sanders has to account for something. There is always the chance that he gets first crack at the starting quarterback position, ahead of the son of Deion Sanders, who was drafted at 144.
But, in a recently released video from the Browns themselves, Sanders can be seen being welcomed by Martin Emerson Jr, who is entering his fourth season for Cleveland after being drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
For fans, however, the warm exchange between the two bodes incredibly well for the rookie’s chances to earn the starting spot. Some who are clearly on team Sanders were already referring to him as a lock for that spot. “QB1 already got the locker room in his side”
QB1 already got the locker room in his side
— Paulson Roman (@PaulRoman93) May 9, 2025
Others, however, believed the respect from the locker room, especially from already established players on the team, was a beautiful sight. “Already COMMANDING the respect of the veterans you live to see it. QB1”
Already COMMANDING the respect of the veterans you live to see it. QB1
— Scott (@ScottCooper__) May 9, 2025
Others, too, had a similar opinion. For them, the immediate reaction from players in the locker room was a tell-tale sign of things to come. “The locker room already decided. They want Shedeur as QB1 lol”
The locker room already decided. They want Shedeur as QB1 lol
— peazy 🥷🏾 (@sleazyyp) May 9, 2025
For a quarterback, holding the locker room is an invaluable asset as the unquestioned leader of the offense, and oftentimes, the team as a whole. As a result, a comment like “There is a reason people gravitate to him, when that is other players it says a lot,” isn’t just in vain.
There is a reason people gravitate to him, when that is other players it says a lot.
— Baba Blue Jay (@BabaBlueJay) May 9, 2025
Others were quick to point to the pre-draft hype for the Buffaloes star. “The lock room already know who they want all NFL draft it was cam and sanders players not dumb he not a 5th round talent”
The lock room already know who they want all NFL draft it was cam and sanders players not dumb he not a 5th round talent
— lilhood (@lilhood01853197) May 9, 2025
As this fan mentions, during the draft process, the two names at the top of the quarterback pyramid were Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. While Ward went first overall, Sanders was subject to a draft slide of unprecedented proportions.
However, the reaction from the locker room at large has convinced fans that it might not be long before the new #12 in Cleveland takes over the starting quarterback position.