Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Johnny Manziel Sends Clear Message on Shedeur Sanders Ahead of Rookie Year with Browns

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 1:23 PM ET

There’s been plenty of chatter coming out of Cleveland early this offseason surrounding the Browns’ quarterback situation — one that now includes two rookies in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders, once projected as a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, surprisingly slipped all the way to the fifth round — even being selected after Gabriel, whom the Browns took in the third.

With rookie minicamp now behind them and mandatory minicamp underway, Cleveland enters a highly competitive quarterback room. Alongside Gabriel and Sanders are former first-rounder Kenny Pickett and veteran Super Bowl champion Joe Flacco — all battling for the starting job heading into Week 1.

Recently on his "Glory Daze Podcast," former Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel weighed in on Sanders’ draft slide and current opportunity in Cleveland. Joined by Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby, Manziel shared admiration for how Sanders handled the adversity.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Johnny Manziel (@jmanziel2)

"I'm pulling for Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland," Manziel wrote in his Instagram caption. "I don't think I would've been able to handle it the way he did, so mad props to him."

"He's got an opportunity now in Cleveland with a quarterback situation he can honestly come out of and win the job," Manziel said. "I think he'll do well. I really do. I think the kid works really hard and loves the game of ball… I think he'll be successful."

Manziel, of course, has a personal connection to Cleveland — he was drafted by the Browns in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft after a legendary college career at Texas A&M.

However, his NFL tenure didn’t live up to expectations, as he was released after just two seasons due to a combination of underperformance and repeated violations of team rules.

Historically, the Browns have struggled to develop franchise quarterbacks, but with both Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel now in the fold, the organization is hoping that one of the two can finally emerge as a long-term answer under center.

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

More must-reads: