

Shedeur Sanders’ troubles are just beginning. Although being selected by Cleveland in the 2025 NFL Draft relieved the sting of his first-round snub, the makeup of the Browns’ quarterback room raises more questions than answers.
On Saturday afternoon, the Browns ended Sanders’ draft-day uncertainty, making a last-minute deal with the Seattle Seahawks. Cleveland surrendered its fifth- and sixth-round picks to move up to the sixth spot in the fifth round (144th overall), ultimately securing Sanders.
The move immediately stirred excitement among media and fans. However, as the initial buzz faded, concerns emerged-particularly regarding Cleveland’s crowded quarterback room. The team now has five quarterbacks on its roster, including Deshaun Watson, who is expected to reclaim his starting role upon returning from injury.
Shedeur faces an uphill battle
Cleveland had an aggressive offseason, taking advantage of free agency to sign veteran Joe Flacco and trading quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick to acquire third-year signal-caller Kenny Pickett.
When draft day arrived, the Browns used a third-round pick on former Oregon Ducks standout Dillon Gabriel, intensifying the competition for Sanders. The young quarterback appears to be the fifth option in Cleveland’s pecking order, with Flacco and Pickett expected to battle for the starting job while Watson recovers.
Cleveland may keep four quarterbacks on its roster. Watson, Flacco, and Pickett are locked in, leaving a likely showdown between Gabriel and Sanders for the final quarterback spot. As a third-round pick, Gabriel seemingly has the edge.
Did the Browns make a draft-day mistake?
The Browns became the first team since the 1971 Houston Oilers to select two quarterbacks in the same draft-a strategy that historically hasn’t fared well. While Dan Pastorini and Lynn Dickey carved out solid careers, Dickey only gained stability after leaving Houston for the Green Bay Packers in 1975.
Some analysts speculate that Sanders and Gabriel could follow a similar trajectory. If so, Cleveland may have squandered a draft pick that could have helped accelerate its rebuild around Watson. Sanders’ fate hangs in the balance, and the odds appear stacked against him.
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