Report reveals chance of Browns' Shedeur Sanders playing in 2025

Shedeur Sanders has generated more buzz this offseason than arguably any fifth-round rookie quarterback in NFL history. Still, it does not sound like the Cleveland Browns are in a rush to give him meaningful playing time.

The Browns have committed to 40-year-old Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback heading into the 2025 season. Both Sanders and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel rose in the depth chart by default last month when Cleveland traded Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Gabriel has been named the No. 2 quarterback behind Flacco, and all indications have been that head coach Kevin Stefanski trusts the former Oregon star more than he trusts Sanders at the moment.

So where does that leave Shedeur?

Shedeur Sanders is unlikely to play as a rookie

In an NFL roundup column published on Saturday, The Athletic's Dianna Russini addressed the "conspiracy theorists" who believe the Browns had a hidden agenda when drafting Sanders.

According to Russini, Browns general manager Andrew Berry decided to draft Sanders when the former Colorado star slipped down the board. Berry believes Stefanski and company can get the most out of Sanders, but the Browns are planning to be patient.

As Russini put it, Sanders is unlikely to play for the Browns as a rookie "unless things get really weird." Cleveland's coaching staff is committed to Flacco, and Gabriel is the next man up.

A tale of two Shedeurs in the preseason

Sanders was the talk of the NFL after the Browns' first game of the preseason — a 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. Shedeur started the game and completed 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He looked a lot more poised than expected.

Sanders missed the second exhibition game with an injury, and things did not go well for him in Cleveland's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams. Sanders completed just 3-of-6 passes for 14 yards and took five sacks in that game, though the Browns won 19-17.

For now, the Browns want Sanders to learn behind the veteran Flacco. Unless both Flacco and Gabriel get hurt, that plan may not change in 2025.