Shedeur Sanders reportedly tried to avoid being selected by Ravens in 2025 draft
ESPN reports Sanders did not want to be stuck behind Lamar Jackson; he was taken later by the Browns and enters Week 2 as Cleveland's No. 3 quarterback.
Shedeur Sanders made it known he did not want to be selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2025 NFL Draft, according to a report from ESPN. The Ravens had planned to take the former Colorado quarterback with the 141st overall pick, but Sanders reportedly objected to the possibility of backing up two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.
Baltimore instead used the 141st pick on offensive lineman Carson Vinson, and Sanders was chosen a few picks later by the Cleveland Browns. Sanders had sought to be drafted by a team where he would have a clearer path to playing time rather than being buried on a depth chart behind an established starter.
Had he gone to Baltimore, Sanders would have been lined up to compete for a backup role against Cooper Rush and Devin Leary. Rush joined the Ravens in the offseason after a long stint with the Dallas Cowboys, while Leary was signed to a futures contract in January but did not make Baltimore’s final roster. ESPN reported Sanders indicated he preferred to avoid that situation.
Cleveland's front office moved on from other options at quarterback after acquiring Sanders. The Browns traded Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders and waived Tyler Huntley, decisions that left Sanders as part of a new quarterback mix. He entered the 2025 season listed as the No. 3 quarterback behind veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel.
Sanders, the son of coach Deion Sanders and a standout at Colorado, drew attention during and after the draft cycle because of his college production and name recognition. The Browns retained him through final roster decisions after training camp and preseason, a sign the coaching staff saw developmental value in keeping a young quarterback on the roster.
Going into Week 2 of the 2025 regular season, Sanders remained behind Flacco, a former Super Bowl starter, and Gabriel on Cleveland’s depth chart. Flacco and Gabriel were expected to handle the primary quarterbacking duties, with Sanders available as a reserve.
Cleveland was scheduled to meet Baltimore on Sunday, a game that will pit Sanders’ current team against the franchise he reportedly tried to avoid joining. The report by ESPN was first highlighted by Fox News coverage as the Browns prepared for the matchup. The teams’ game plans and any roster moves will be monitored closely as the season progresses and quarterbacks jockey for playing time and opportunity.
The report did not include direct comments from Sanders, Ravens executives or Browns officials, and neither team issued immediate statements confirming the details. NFL teams and agents commonly communicate draft preferences and fit during the draft process, and this episode reflects the considerations a prospects weighs when evaluating roster situations behind established starters.