“He’s got to go in there and work, earn his job just like me.” Shedeur Sanders’ former teammate Travis Hunter laid it bare. Subtly hinting at how things are far from how they were in Colorado—where Shedeur never had to fight for his position thanks to his “nepo baby” status—the NFL presents a different kind of problem. One where you’re not going to be given the benefit of the doubt on Day 1, but rather have to earn it. As a fifth-round pick, the signal caller ideally shouldn’t hope much. But, in the “dysfunctional” QB room where a 17-year veteran is expected to fight tooth and nail for the starting job with two rookies, Shedeur certainly looks keen on capitalizing on the opportunity.

With the rookie minicamp over, both Dillon Gabriel and the former Buffs QB got reps. Early signs show they each bring solid accuracy and smart decision-making. But, of course, the NFL doesn’t allow to have two quarterbacks to run the offense at once. Based on draft position and early buzz, it looks like Gabriel might have the edge. As per what Mary Kay Cabot noted earlier, “Gabriel will be ahead of Sanders at the start of spring ball just like he was in the draft.”

“(Sanders) looked comfortable running the offense, but more so from a post-snap standpoint. He didn’t beat out Gabriel hands-down like some have reported — it was much closer to a tie — but he looked very good and more than held his own,” she further wrote. But let’s also not forget Shedeur is Shedeur, and if Tom Brady’s advice is anything to go by, all that negative chatter is just motivation—which NFL Rookie Watch further hinted at.

As per a tweet on May 18, “Shedeur Sanders reportedly had Browns coaches “shocked” at his precision and accuracy with the short time they had with him at rookie minicamp. Sanders reportedly was throwing the ball with the “touch” of a 10-year NFL veteran. Sanders reportedly has “goals” of winning the QB1 position for the Browns and competing for Offensive Rookie of the Year this season.”

“Sanders is currently not even LISTED on the Browns depth chart. However, several sources close to the Browns reportedly believe Sanders is the “most talented QB in the room” and will rise rapidly once training camp is underway. The Browns rookie QB is about to make a lot of teams look silly for passing on him 🍿,” the tweet further read. Truth be told, when it comes to Shedeur Sanders, nothing can be guaranteed until it actually happens…

If a player touted to go as first overall pick (or maybe slide down to No. 21 in a worst-case scenario) can find himself a dismal pick, it’s better we take starting role reports with a grain of salt. But the recent update is certainly not an isolated incident. This comes days after Cleveland Browns insider Brad Steinbrook’s live reporting from the rookie minicamp noted how Sanders looked sharper than his fellow rookie. But that’s not all. Former Browns QB Robert Griffin III also had some choice words when describing Sanders‘ place in the team, or rather the dysfunction that Kevin Stefanski has brought upon himself. 

“Shedeur is the headliner of the group,” the retired veteran mentioned. “He sells tickets. He sells Jerseys. He sells confidence to his teammates who have said they can’t wait to play with him and non teammates. Top level players across the NFL are talking about how good of a player Shedeur Sanders is and how he was done dirty in the NFL Draft. The Cleveland Browns headliner is their 4th QB on the roster who will get the least amount of reps and opportunity in the group. That’s a set up for dysfunction. That’s the Browns.”

Even former NFL general manager Scot McCloughan believes that the Colorado QB could be the best quarterback of this year’s draft class.

So, if the reports are true and everything goes well in line for Sanders, he may start this 2025. This will force the Browns to make a change and add him to the depth chart, after he experienced a heartbreak firsthand.

Shedeur Sanders has another request for his fans

Shedeur Sanders has always been No. 2. It was more than a number; it was part of who he was in Colorado. But now in the NFL, things have changed. That number’s already taken by DeAndre Carter, and Shedeur didn’t even think about fighting for it. Instead, he switched to No. 12. At first, it felt like a loss for him and for fans who knew how much 2 meant. But then it started to make sense. Because this wasn’t just a new number, it was a message, a fresh start.

It quietly tips the hat to Tom Brady, someone who’s guided him since high school, and if you look closer, it’s also a flipped version of his dad’s iconic No. 21. That says a lot without saying too much. He’s not copying, he’s not clinging. Instead, he’s choosing his own lane, and that’s where the real story begins. Hence, after experiencing his first jersey setback, he is requesting his fans to call him “12.” That kind of maturity says a lot.

Shedeur Sanders was once seen as a top prospect, but watching name after name get called before his in the draft had to sting. Still, he walked into rookie minicamp with his head high and work ethic louder than any words. He was one of the last guys off the field. And he is already stepping up and correcting teammates on team rules like a leader should. And now, with OTAs and preseason coming fast, he knows the pressure’s real. He’s got Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel in front of him, and reps won’t come easily. But every snap is a chance for him.