Shedeur Sanders’s NFL future questioned after insider update on limited 2025 playing chances with Browns

Shedeur Sanders entered the NFL with plenty of attention, but fans eager to see him take the field for the Cleveland Browns this season may have to wait. While the franchise has confidence in his future, their short-term plans tell a different story.

With veteran Joe Flacco locked in as the starter and rookie Dillon Gabriel positioned as his backup, Sanders begins his rookie campaign firmly as the team’s third option.

Shedeur Sanders enters NFL as a long-term project

The Browns made an intriguing choice in April’s draft, selecting Gabriel in the third round before taking Sanders with the No. 144 pick. According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the decision wasn’t part of some hidden agenda. “The pick wasn’t some master plan from ownership.

It was GM Andrew Berry’s call, rooted in his belief that Cleveland’s coaching staff could bring out the best in Sanders and help him grow into an NFL quarterback,” she wrote.

Cleveland’s patient approach was evident throughout preseason. Sanders impressed in his debut against the Panthers, throwing for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a decisive 38-10 win. But consistency proved elusive. An oblique injury sidelined him for the next game, and his finale against the Rams was a stark contrast — 14 yards on six attempts, five sacks, and little rhythm.

Despite the uneven results, Sanders survived roster cuts after the team traded Kenny Pickett to Las Vegas. The depth chart order was clear: Flacco’s experience first, Gabriel’s development second, and Sanders as a distant third. His status underscores Cleveland’s cautious timeline, one that values growth over rushing a rookie into action.

What’s next for Shedeur Sanders and the Browns?

The Browns will open their season against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals with Sanders set to watch from the sidelines.

For him, the early NFL journey is about absorbing lessons, not headline moments. “Obviously, I feel like I can improve in a lot of areas,” Sanders admitted. “Every day was a new day, every day you learn different things and life lessons that you learn in every situation.”Still, pressure could mount if Flacco falters or Gabriel struggles to adjust. Fans might clamor for Sanders sooner than expected. Yet for now, Cleveland seems determined to let him develop at his own pace. If patience holds, 2025 may become the year Sanders proves he’s ready to step into the Browns’ future.Also Read: What can we expect from Travis Hunter this season and why Jaguars believe he’s a game-changer