Shedeur Sanders joined the Cleveland Browns under a cloud of doubt after his fall in the 2025 NFL Draft, where he was selected in the fifth round. Now, he’s determined to prove to head coach Kevin Stefanski that he has what it takes to develop into a successful NFL quarterback.
Leading up to the draft, it seemed like teams would be fighting over Sanders, but as the rounds went by, Deion’s son remained unselected. In the end, Cleveland put their trust in his potential, and now he has earned his long-awaited spot in the NFL. What’s left is proving he’s worth it.
Many criticisms have surrounded the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback, who will enter his first professional season under Stefanski’s guidance. During rookie minicamp, Sanders shared what his goal is for the upcoming season.
Sanders’ clear message about arriving to Browns
“My job here isn’t to prove people wrong, it’s to prove myself right and I fully have self-belief, you know, and what those people say, that’s just their opinion. So, I don’t truly care. They don’t really live in my mental space about that type of stuff. It really doesn’t do anything for me,” Sanders said according to NBC Sports.
At the same time, Sanders mentioned that a legend like Tom Brady also gave him a valuable piece of advice. “We’re here now, so none of that matters,” the NFL’s all-time Super Bowl ring winner reportedly told him—referring to how Brady himself was drafted in the later rounds at the start of his career.
Who will Sanders compete with for the starting job?
Sanders will have to carve out his place in a crowded quarterback room in Cleveland. With Deshaun Watson sidelined due to injury, the former Buffaloes player will compete for playing time alongside Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel.