The first time anyone from the Cleveland Browns publicly acknowledged that the 2022 Deshaun Watson trade had failed came from the top brass last month. A trade that cost them three first-rounders and a guaranteed $230 million, owner Jimmy Haslam captioned it their “big swing-and-miss.” Jimmy Haslam, in fact, stuck his neck out to take the blame for the Watson transaction and confirmed that he won’t pressurize his decision-making tandem to force a quarterback pick. So, entering the 2025 NFL Draft, GM Andrew Berry said this about Haslam’s role in the decision to draft Sanders, “Jimmy lets us do our jobs.”

The old sting, ever since Baker Mayfield left Huntington Bank Field, still feels fresh. Eight different quarterbacks have started for the Browns since, including four during the 2024 season, but they are yet to find a franchise QB. Just a month ago, Haslam did ask for patience but said he’d expect the team to compete in 2025. And as such, the Browns’ HC did get his man on day 3, but a 4th-round pick has sparked doubts if Stefanski really wanted Shedeur in his QB room. After all, calling the Browns’ pre-draft process with Shedeur to be extensive would be such an understatement.

A large contingent of the Browns organization, from the coaches, execs, to the ownership group, traveled to Boulder one day prior to the pro day workout just to break bread with Shedeur and his teammate, Travis Hunter. Their Scouting Combine meeting reports on Shedeur were impressive. “Shedeur is a very, very impressive young man,” Kevin Stefanski said. “Was raised the right way. Obviously, he’s a heck of a football player.” Even GM Berry, who drafted him in the 4th round as the 144th pick, admitted that Shedeur’s draft was “mis-priced” and he believes that Coach Prime’s son can actually “outproduce” his draft slot. Yet, despite Haslam’s hands-off approach, recent buzz surrounding Shedeur Sanders’ arrival hints at a different story behind the scenes.

ProFootballTalk, for one, “suggested they were feeling something other than euphoric.” The reaction shot in the Browns’ draft room, per the host, had no less than “perfunctory applause” to offer once Shedeur’s name was called. “Andrew Berry, the GM, did not look thrilled. And you can kind see a little bit of Jimmy Haslam. He wasn’t jumping up and down. Kevin Stefanski had a little bit of a smile. The guy to the right of Stefanski seemed a little happier, but Andrew Berry didn’t seem like a guy who just stumbled into a future franchise quarterback… So, Browns fans, do that split screen. Draft room? Maybe not thrilled. Your new quarterback? Seems to be thrilled.” Take a look at the video.

NFL insider Benjamin Allbright discussed the pick on his radio show, hinting that there had been “internal discussions in Cleveland about draft strategy not aligning across the board,” especially regarding quarterback prospects. Allbright noted, “There was definitely a split in the room—some were higher on other options, but when ownership speaks, decisions tend to follow.” This fresh insight only fuels the belief that the Browns’ front office might have had different plans before Sanders’ selection became a reality.

Are the Browns already second-guessing their Shedeur Sanders gamble?

The tension in the Browns’ draft room didn’t just seem awkward — it could hint at deeper issues. Teams usually celebrate with cheers, high-fives, and obvious excitement when they select a franchise quarterback. Yet, in Cleveland, it felt more like a formality than a victory lap. GM Andrew Berry’s blank expression especially stood out, suggesting that maybe Shedeur Sanders wasn’t the front office’s first choice after all.

Jimmy Haslam often involves himself heavily in decisions, sometimes pushing choices that the coaching staff or management doesn’t fully support. If Haslam did indeed drive the selection of Sanders, it puts pressure on Stefanski and Berry to make a success out of a pick they may not have fully endorsed. In NFL history, when owners overrule football people, the results can be unpredictable at best.

Interestingly, Shedeur Sanders himself seems anything but concerned. The young quarterback celebrated the moment with pure joy, signaling that he’s ready and excited for the next chapter. As ProFootballTalk pointed out, “There’s already a video out there of him celebrating this,” and emphasized that “it’s very unlikely he will try to go back” to college, given the financial hit compared to launching his NFL career. The report also added, “He seems to be happy going to Cleveland, he seems to be happy being drafted by the Browns,” making it clear that Sanders is embracing his opportunity, even if the front office’s excitement didn’t match his own.

Still, it’s hard to ignore the early cracks showing. A quarterback’s success often depends on having the full support of his organization. If Sanders has to fight not only his opponents but skepticism from within his own building, it could make his rookie season even more challenging. The Cleveland Browns have hitched their future to Shedeur Sanders, even if not everyone in the organization feels thrilled about it. For Sanders and the Browns alike, the only thing that can heal any lingering doubts now will be winning football games.