Amid a crowded quarterback room and sky-high expectations, rookie Shedeur Sanders is navigating his first NFL offseason with measured patience — and the Cleveland Browns are better for it.
The 2025 fifth-round pick may be generating buzz from fans and media alike, but he’s not yet getting first-team reps, and that’s by design. With OTAs and minicamp sessions underway in Berea, Ohio, Sanders has quietly settled into a developmental role. And while his name may attract the spotlight, coaches and analysts alike are urging patience over projection. The long game, it seems, is what matters most right now.
Shedeur Sanders just put together arguably the MOST IMPRESSIVE body of offseason work (OTA’s + Minicamp) of any rookie QB.
Sanders officially finished all practices with a stat line of 41/53 (77%), ~400+ yards, 9 passing TD’s, and 1 INT (tipped pass).
Not only did Sanders lead… pic.twitter.com/J3gMP1gDVx
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) June 12, 2025
Shedeur Sanders is buried on the Browns’ depth chart, but the rookie QB’s development could reshape Cleveland’s future
As of mid-June 2025, Shedeur Sanders remains a work in progress at Brown’s minicamp — and that’s entirely expected. The 21-year-old rookie is part of a four-man quarterback competition that includes veteran Joe Flacco and others vying for the depth chart, but Sanders is operating mostly with third- and fourth-string units.
Speaking on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, former Browns head coach Eric Mangini broke down what he’s seen so far and where the rookie currently stands.
“All of his reps have been with the backend guys,” Mangini said. “He hasn’t gotten any reps with the ones. As soon as he gets in with the ones, then the hype train is going to roll even further.”
That insight came during Mangini’s appearance on The Herd earlier this week, where he also emphasized the importance of context when evaluating Sanders’ numbers during these early practices. “There’s a lot of learning going on for him,” he added.
“To see the numbers, that’s positive — but he’s also working against the back end of the roster, so his numbers should be a little bit higher.”In other words, Sanders is where he should be — developing quietly, absorbing the playbook, and learning from the veterans around him.
Why the Cleveland Browns are the perfect team to develop rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
While Cleveland went just 3–14 last season, the team is building for the long haul, and Sanders finds himself in a rare position for a young quarterback: he has time. Kevin Stefanski, a respected offensive mind, is overseeing his development, and Super Bowl-winning veteran Joe Flacco offers an invaluable locker-room presence.
There’s no rush for Sanders to dazzle in June. What matters more is the foundation he’s laying now — one rep, one meeting, one film session at a time.
