Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Did Shedeur Sanders' rough outing change Browns' QB plans?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 24, 2025 11:45 AM ET

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders believes he's a lock to make the 53-man roster, despite a disastrous preseason finale.

In Cleveland's 19-17 home victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, the fifth-round pick went 3-of-6 passing for 14 yards and was sacked five times for -41 yards. He was also pulled for fellow backup QB Tyler Huntley during a two-minute drill in the fourth quarter.

Sanders still seems sure the team won't cut him.

"Obviously," the 23-year-old QB told NFL Network's Bridget Condon Saturday when asked if he feels he'll make the active roster.

"I feel like everybody feels like they should be on the team," the former Colorado Buffaloes star said. "I feel like I do, but I'm my own player. I think about myself in a high regard, of course. It's not my decision."

Does Shedeur Sanders feel like he belongs on the #Browns? "Obviously" @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/R5aVTWgRb3
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) August 23, 2025

The NFL's deadline to cut down rosters is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. During a Saturday interview with NFL Network, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said all four of their QBs (Sanders, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel) should be on the roster after that date. It appears those plans haven't changed.

"I'm told that's sort of the plan that's set in sand as opposed to stone, that's just something they have to put out because they have to list the depth chart on their website, but that is still a little bit fluid," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said Sunday on "SportsCenter" (h/t Bleacher Report's Joseph Zucker). "They got about two weeks of practice time to see who impresses, but both rookies will be on the roster, Kenny Pickett as well. You've got Joe Flacco starting. Most teams don't keep four, but the Browns have stayed true to their plan here. The more the merrier in the quarterback room right now."

Sanders has work to do to climb the depth chart. He'll likely be listed as QB4 behind Gabriel, Pickett and Flacco. But for now, his roster spot seems safe.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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