Shedeur Sanders fires back at rival quarterbacks as Browns wait for NFL debut

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has publicly taken a bold stance about the competition among NFL quarterbacks as he waits for his regular-season debut in Cleveland. A fifth-round pick this year, Sanders has drawn attention for his outspoken confidence and for how far he fell on draft night, a fall that has followed him into a summer that included a crowded quarterback room and a cautious path to the field.

Sanders was part of a Browns preseason showing that briefly suggested a possible rise up the depth chart. He threw two touchdowns and completed 14 of 23 passes in his appearance against the Carolina Panthers, a performance that quieted some critics but did little to change the fact that Cleveland currently lists him behind veteran Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. He has not appeared to carve out a clear window to meaningful game action, yet remains adamant that he can compete with the league’s best when called upon. "I know if you see the quarterback play in the league right now, I know I'm capable of doing better than that," Sanders told ESPN Cleveland.

![Sanders waiting to debut for Browns]https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/09/26/19/102486339-0-image-m-20_1758910252450.jpg ""

The Browns, meanwhile, have kept Sanders on the ledger as a depth option behind Flacco and Gabriel, even as questions persist about when he might finally see meaningful action. The dynamic in Cleveland mirrors a wider discussion around the league about quarterback depth and development, with Sanders positioned as a high-ceiling project whose early NFL trajectory remains uncertain but promising in theory.

Through the early weeks of the season, quarterback play around the NFL has been a topic of scrutiny. Russell Wilson has already been replaced by Giants rookie Jaxson Dart in some circles, and other second-year and third-year passers such as Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix have shown signs of regression in different games. Cleveland’s own situation has been highlighted by Flacco’s uneven performance; he threw for just 142 yards and threw an interception in a win over Green Bay, a game in which coach Kevin Stefanski said afterward that a quarterback change was not being considered. Flacco’s interception total for the season thus far sits among the league’s higher marks, while the Browns have remained careful about maximizing their quarterback room with an eye toward 2025 and beyond. Sanders, for his part, said he is ready to contribute if he’s needed, insisting he would be prepared to perform at a high level when opportunity knocks.

The NFL’s surrounding milieu of quarterback turnover has only complicated Sanders’ path. The Bengals are dealing with a turf-toe injury to starter Joe Burrow that could sideline him for an extended period, and backup Jake Browning leads the league in interceptions with five. In Cleveland, the broader instability of adjacent teams and rival rosters has intensified attention on the Browns’ depth chart and how a player like Sanders could fit into a longer-term plan even if he remains in a waiting pattern for now. The team has proceeded with a cautious approach to development, mindful of protecting a quarterback who arrived with a reputation as a Day 1 starter in college but slid in the draft for reasons that are widely analyzed in football circles.

Sanders’ pre-season arc is part of a larger narrative about his ascent and the challenges of translating college success to the NFL. After a standout collegiate career at Colorado, where he was once viewed as a potential first-round talent, Sanders fell to the 144th overall pick in a draft where Cleveland also navigated a quarterback room that briefly included five signal-callers in training camp. The roster churn continued into cuts and trades, including Tyler Huntley’s departure and Kenny Pickett’s trade to the Raiders. Sanders himself endured injuries and a difficult stretch in the ensuing weeks, missing a second preseason game with an oblique issue and absorbing five sacks in a loss to the Rams.

Gabriel, meanwhile, finished the preseason with 272 passing yards, a 67.6 percent completion rate, one touchdown and one interception. The Browns have indicated that Gabriel will back up Flacco in the upcoming game against Detroit, continuing to provide a measured path for Sanders to develop should an opportunity arise. The presence of both veterans in the quarterback room is intended to create stability while Cleveland charts the long view for its passing game.

Sanders has repeatedly voiced confidence in his growth and readiness. His comments to ESPN Cleveland underscore his belief that his ceiling remains high even as he waits for a clear line to play time. He has not issued a public pledge to seize a particular moment, but his willingness to discuss the league’s quarterback landscape publicly reflects a competitive mindset as he charts his professional path.

Cleveland’s Week 4 matchup against the Lions offers a concrete stage for Sanders’ development, a test that could come in any form depending on how the Browns manage the game plan and the health of their QB room. Stefanski has stressed patience with a quarterback group that includes Flacco and Gabriel, signaling that the organization remains focused on long-term readiness rather than rushing a player who could benefit from continued growth. The Browns’ approach emphasizes a balance between practical win-now considerations and the timeline required to maximize Sanders’ potential in a high-stakes league.

As Sanders waits for his moment, the broader NFL context of quarterback flux and perpetual evaluation continues to shape how teams handle young passers. The Browns’ strategy appears to lean toward stability at the position while preserving the possibility that a longer-term development curve could yield dividends if and when Sanders is finally called upon for extended action.