Browns owner Jimmy Haslam turns heads after revealing who made the call to draft Shedeur Sanders

If there was one headline-worthy storyline in the most recent NFL Draft, it was undoubtedly the saga involving Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns. Few expected such a dramatic slide for the quarterback, but fate ultimately landed him in Jimmy Haslam’s organization.

And it was the team’s owner himself who shared some insight into that long draft day—one that saw the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback join Kevin Stefanski’s squad shortly after the arrival of Dillon Gabriel.

In a recent conversation with the press, Haslam clarified that while decisions are usually made together, the main person responsible for bringing Sanders to the Browns was General Manager Andrew Berry.

“We have good process,” Haslam said, via Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com. “We had a conversation early that morning and then we had a conversation later that day. I think we had the right people involved in the conversation. And the end of the day, that’s [G.M.] Andrew Berry’s call. Andrew made the call to pick Shedeur.”

Head coach Kevin Stefanski, managing and principal partner Jimmy Haslam and executive vice president, football operations & general manager Andrew Berry of the Cleveland Browns look on during Cleveland Browns training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 28, 2025 in Berea, Ohio.

Multiple options for Stefanski

The Browns were one of the most active franchises in the recent draft—something we’ve come to expect from them in recent years. Both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders joined a quarterback room that already includes Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and the injured Deshaun Watson.

see also

Browns sign new weapon for Shedeur Sanders amid Quishon Judkins’ legal situation

With Watson ruled out due to his serious injury, and news recently breaking of Kenny Pickett’s injury in the past few days, the picture regarding who will start in Week 1 either becomes clearer—or even more complicated.

Now it remains to be seen how the coming days unfold at the Browns’ facility, as Joe Flacco and rookies Gabriel and Sanders take the field. Their performances will help shape the picture of what to expect for the season opener.

A challenging start awaits

Competing in one of the most balanced divisions in the NFL won’t be easy, but these Browns have built a roster capable of making a serious push. Here are the first five hurdles they’ll need to overcome if they want to join the group of true title contenders.

• vs Cincinnati Bengals, September 7th
• @ Baltimore Ravens, September 14th
• vs Green Bay Packers, September 21st
• @ Detroit Lions, September 28th
• @ Minnesota Vikings, October 5th