LeBron James Picks Side in Browns QB Battle

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.R. DeGroote | Last updated May 10, 2025 1:24 AM ET

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James delivered a message for Shedeur Sanders as he officially kicked off his time with the Cleveland Browns on Friday.

Sanders took the field for rookie minicamp repping his No. 12 jersey for the first time. He wore No. 2 during his college career and built a significant part of his personal brand around his jersey number.

But even with the new number, James was pumped to see Sanders in action with his hometown Browns and gave him a shoutout on social media.

"Let's get it 12!" James said. "One day at a time."

Sanders — once projected as an early first-round pick — slid to the fifth round, where the Browns selected him at No. 144 overall.

Despite his impressive college career at Colorado, where he earned accolades such as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Sanders was the sixth quarterback chosen in the draft. But as evidenced by James' shoutout, he's no average fifth-round pick.

He faces an uphill battle to win the Browns' starting quarterback job, with third-round pick Dillon Gabriel and veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett also in the mix for the top spot.

Gabriel got the first reps at rookie minicamp but head coach Kevin Stefanski said that did not reflect a depth chart decision.

"I wouldn’t look into anything," Stefanski said. "I mean, we don’t pay too close attention to who’s in that first snap."

Sanders and the rest of the Browns rookies will continue practice through the weekend before joining the veterans on Monday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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