The Cleveland Browns‘ surprise selection of Shedeur Sanders with the 144th pick in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft has drawn mixed reactions, especially from head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry.
The addition of Sanders can be seen as a drawback, considering the team already selected quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round (pick 94) and will now have five players at the position. The Cleveland franchise now has to manage the talent on offense.
Sanders had initially been projected as a first-round pick, but his slide in the draft was attributed to various concerns and doubts that surfaced in the final days, despite his standout performance with the Colorado Buffaloes. However, Stefanski and Berry reacted positively to the arrival of Deion’s son.
Browns’ reaction to Sanders’ arrival
On the third and final day of the draft, is easy to see the reaction in the Browns war room in a video posted by Warren Sharp on his X account (formerly Twitter). In the front row, Stefanski and Berry can be seen applauding with straight faces.
Andrew Berry’s message about Sanders on the Browns
“Message is come in and work. Come in and compete. Nothing is being given… we told him it really doesn’t matter where you’re picked. It’s what you do going forward,” Berry said after the arrival of Sanders to the Cleveland franchise. In addition, the Browns general manager said Sanders’ reaction was one of gratitude, relief and determination.
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Stefanski, for his part, had shown interest in Sanders since the pre-draft process, praising his character and ability to pass out of the pocket. With the injury to Deshaun Watson, who is expected to miss at least the start of the 2025 season, the Browns face an open competition for the starting job.
