Is Shedeur Sanders regretting NFL Draft decision after Lamar Jackson news?

The Baltimore Ravens almost took Shedeur Sanders during the 2025 NFL Draft, but the Cleveland Browns quarterback spurned them. Do both parties wish he had chosen differently? 

Baltimore starting QB Lamar Jackson suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Per Brian Wacker of the Baltimore Sun, he could now miss two to three games, threatening the 1-3 Ravens' playoff hopes.

The Ravens are now slated to turn to serviceable backup QB Cooper Rush, who had a 9-5 starting record in eight seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. But Baltimore may still wish Sanders (pick No. 144) was on their roster. 

Shedeur Sanders would provide more upside than Cooper Rush

Unlike Rush — who turns 32 on Nov. 21 — Sanders could've been a trade chip for the Ravens had they added him, and he had played well. Teams are willing to spend draft picks on promising developmental QBs.

In April, Dallas traded a fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for second-year QB Joe Milton III and a seventh-round pick. This came after he looked solid while filling in for Drake Maye during the team's regular-season finale. In the 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills, Milton finished 22-of-29 passing for 241 yards and one touchdown. 

Sanders, 23, would face better competition than Milton, who was playing against backups after Buffalo had already secured a playoff berth.

In Weeks 5 and 6, the Ravens host the Houston Texans (1-3) and the Los Angeles Rams (3-1). The Texans rank first in the league in points allowed (12.8 per game), and the Rams are tied for 10th (20.3).

Still, the former Colorado Buffaloes star could surprise. In two seasons with the Buffaloes, he completed 71.8% of his passes, the best mark in a career in FBS history. 

Ravens would be a better situation for Shedeur Sanders

Sanders' father, Colorado head coach Deion, has said he didn't want the Ravens to take his son because he would ride the pine behind two-time league MVP Jackson. But in Cleveland, he's still warming the bench. 

After reportedly benching Joe Flacco, the Browns (1-3) are expected to start rookie QB Dillon Gabriel (pick No. 94) in Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings (2-2). This raises more questions about whether Shedeur Sanders will play this season.

More importantly, unlike the Ravens, the Browns have consistently failed to develop QBs throughout their history. They couldn't even get it right with QB Baker Mayfield, who has made two Pro Bowls with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since Cleveland moved on from him after the 2021 season. 

Shedeur Sanders can't undo his decision. Still, he and the Ravens may be wishing he had thought it over more beforehand. Both would be in a better position if he did.