The Cleveland Browns have an intriguing quarterback situation with Shedeur Sanders and Joe Flacco among others.
They have a total of five at the position, igniting the conversation of how they should address it. One Super Bowl champion has an idea of how can resolve the issue.
When Will Shedeur Sanders See the Field for the Browns?
Super Bowl 50 winner Chris Harris Jr. has seen his fair share of superstar quarterbacks. The former corner played with Peyton Manning in Denver and regularly faced off against the likes of Philip Rivers, Tom Brady, Carson Palmer, and Ben Roethlisberger.
So, he knows a thing or two about quarterback talent. Which is why he provided his thoughts on the Browns’ quarterback situation involving Sanders, Flacco, and others.
Harris went on “Up & Adams” to talk about when Sanders could start. “I don’t think he starts out the gate. I think about Week 5, Week 4.”
“You know, the Browns always have issues with quarterbacks, whether injuries or they’re just not playing well,” Harris reasoned. “He’ll learn the speed of the game, understand this new offense, this new terminology, and get his feet wet a little bit. By Week 5, he should be ready to go.”
Will Shedeur Sanders be a starter this season?
Chris Harris Jr. says by Week 5 "he should be ready to go." đź‘€ @heykayadams | @ChrisHarrisJr pic.twitter.com/ImUOwElo45
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) May 6, 2025
That may be the case, but in spite of Sanders’ obvious charisma and self-confidence, teams can be well-served holding back a quarterback until he is fully developed. The Houston Oilers famously sat first-round pick Steve McNair for a full season before they eventually made him a starter.
Starting a rookie, even super-talented ones who go in the first round, is a high-risk endeavor. Terry Bradshaw is a Hall of Fame four-time Super Bowl champ, but people forget that his rookie year in 1970 was a disaster.
The first overall pick threw for 1,410 yards, six touchdowns, and 24 interceptions, and ended the season with a 30.4 passer rating. He spent the next 3.5 years fighting media scrutiny and challenges from other quarterbacks before he finally grasped the starting job for good.
The New York Jets traded up in 2021 to take Zach Wilson second overall. He was rushed into the starting job and finished his rookie season with 2,334 yards, nine touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He never established himself as a pro and was eventually benched and subsequently traded to the Denver Broncos.
Another example of ancient history proving that this has always been a conundrum is the case of quarterback Jim Plunkett. He was the first overall pick by the New England Patriots in 1971. He was thrust into the starting job in his rookie year behind a deficient offensive line and given few offensive weapons. He finished his rookie year with 2,158 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 16 picks with a 68.6 passer rating.
However, he’s a case where time would be his friend. He spent the next six years in New England and San Francisco, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. The Niners released him after the 1977 season, and he was out of the league for a full year.
The Oakland Raiders signed him in 1979 and after starter Dan Pastorini was injured, Plunkett took over and led them to the first Super Bowl win by a wild card team. He won another Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1983.
Whatever the Browns do with Sanders, the hope here is that they will give him time to mature and develop before being thrown into the maelstrom of NFL defenses.