Browns decline to make one notable change with Sanders

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Browns decline to make one notable change with Shedeur Sanders

By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated Aug 11, 2025 7:05 PM ET

Shedeur Sanders became the talk of the NFL following his strong preseason debut with the Cleveland Browns, but the team has decided to leave him right where he was on the depth chart heading into the game.

Sanders was fourth on the Browns' first official depth chart ahead of their exhibition game against the Carolina Panthers on Friday night. Presumptive starter Joe Flacco did not play in the game, and Sanders was also listed behind Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel.

With Sanders having completed 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-10 win, there have already been rumblings that he could be named Cleveland's starter before long. Browns HC Kevin Stefanski is not ready to shuffle his depth chart, however — at least on paper.

The Browns released their second official depth chart on Monday, and there were no changes from last week.

On Cleveland’s second depth chart of the summer, here is how the Browns are listing their quarterbacks this week:

1. Joe Flacco
2. Kenny Pickett
3. Dillon Gabriel
4. Shedeur Sanders
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 11, 2025

Sanders almost certainly is not worried about what the depth chart says. He already made a strong case for earning a roster spot with the way he played against Carolina. If he continues to play that well in training camp and the preseason, he should have no problem making the team.

Gabriel was drafted in the third round, which is why people were so stunned that the Browns took Sanders in the fifth. To this point, it sounds like Sanders has looked like the better fit in Cleveland.

Steve DelVecchio

Steve is a veteran writer who has covered a variety of sports and pop culture topics for more than 15 years. In addition to Yardbarker, his work has been featured on prominent digital publications including Larry Brown Sports, MSN and FOX Sports. The UConn graduate has published more than 40,000 stories and is one of the most experienced trending news writers in the country

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