Tension is Building in Cleveland Amid Shedeur Sanders’ Absence

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Binoy | Last updated Aug 4, 2025 1:29 PM ET

The start to Shedeur Sanders’ NFL career hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. From legal troubles to a draft day slide that stunned many, the Cleveland Browns' rookie quarterback has already had his fair share of challenges.

Now, elbow pain that is keeping him out of key practice reps has only added more fuel to the fire. The situation has become a hot topic in Cleveland, with popular radio hosts clashing over how the Browns should handle it. Their fiery back and forth has spilled onto social media, with the two men arguing about whether Sanders should be given some slack.

The debate heating up in Cleveland came courtesy of local sports analysts Tony Grossi and Mike Rizzo. Grossi argued that Shedeur Sanders is hurting himself by throwing extra before practice, saying it’s aggravating his elbow and keeping him from actually participating in team drills.

Rizz says Grossi is trying to use Shedeur’s sore arm as a negative agenda against him and is FED UP about it pic.twitter.com/FuhDtuknB3
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 4, 2025

He called it counterproductive and insisted he’d rather see Sanders save those throws for practice reps that matter. Rizzo, however, wasn’t having it, saying, “You’re using that as a negative against the kid? ... Would you give him a chance? Cause his arm is sore? That is a negative? The kid has a sore arm because he is working too much. Get outta here. You got an agenda with that.”

Needless to say, there is a lot of noise around Sanders right now and not all of it is positive.

An Abrupt End of the Road for Sanders?

Cleveland rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, once projected as an early first-round pick before sliding to pick No. 144, is already at the center of trade buzz just months after the draft. Former NFL vet Kurt Benkert and ex-Super Bowl champ Asante Samuel have stirred the pot, hinting a move could be on the horizon.

Sanders, who lit it up for the Colorado Buffaloes with 4,100 yards and 37 TDs, has shown flashes in camp, including a perfect 9-for-9 night with two scores. With a crowded QB room featuring Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson, some believe the Browns might view Sanders as a “buy-low, sell-high” asset.

Samuel even floated the Colts as a potential suitor, while insiders like Logan Ulrich and Peter Schrager say it wouldn’t be shocking if Cleveland trimmed its veteran depth and leaned on its young guns.

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

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