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Shedeur Sanders Sends Message After Browns QB1 Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Oct 30, 2025 10:47 AM ET

Shedeur Sanders joined the Cleveland Browns under weird circumstance. In college with the Colorado Buffaloes, he threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns and completed 74 percent of his passes in his final season. Many projected him as a first-round pick, but he fell to the fifth round (144th overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft, eventually signing a four-year, $4.6 million rookie deal with the Browns.

Since arriving, Sanders has yet to record a single regular-season snap. Cleveland’s quarterback room has continued to dominate headlines all year, with Sanders now second on the depth chart behind fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel following the trade of veteran Joe Flacco. Despite a 1-3 record with Gabriel as a starter, head coach Kevin Stefanski maintained that the third-round pick will remain the starting quarterback following the team’s poor outing against the New England Patriots in a 32-13 loss during Week 8 (via ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi).

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12).Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Recently, the Browns added Sanders to their injury report, listing back tightness and marking him questionable for their upcoming game. Later, he was ruled inactive for the game against the Patriots due to that same issue. The tightness reportedly flared late in practice, preventing him from participating fully.

As the Browns enter a Week 9 bye, Sanders confirmed that he won’t be returning for Colorado’s homecoming during the bye, but will remain in Cleveland as he continues to recover from his injury.

“I'm not coming to CU homecoming,” Sanders said. “I wish I could though. I got treatment out here. I gotta get ready. Big ready.”

“I gotta get ready, BIG ready,” - Shedeur Sanders says he’s staying in Cleveland during the bye week pic.twitter.com/0VMD2XoBhu
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) October 30, 2025

Addressing his physical condition, he added: “Treatment every day – we getting back going.”

Sanders has maintained composure throughout his rookie season. He has not expressed frustration publicly and has continued to wait patiently for his shot. The Browns have not ruled him out entirely, and it appears the coaching staff still views him as a potential starter later this season.

Some fans and analysts argue his presence could be a spark as Cleveland searches for consistency at quarterback.

Cleveland sits 2-6, last in the AFC North. The Browns' next game comes in Week 10 on the road against the New York Jets, a matchup that could provide Sanders with his first NFL opportunity. Whether he sees action or continues to wait, his path remains closely monitored.

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

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