The Cleveland Browns and Shedeur Sanders haven’t exactly gotten off to the best start together. Sanders isn’t even on the active roster—he’s listed as an emergency quarterback, only dressing out in case of an in-game injury. Despite receiving little attention from the Browns, superfan Steve Harvey is publicly campaigning for Sanders to get a shot.
“I am praying to God that Shedeur gets an opportunity … But, knowing the Cleveland Browns, they dumb a** gonna trade him,” Harvey said.
Sanders did, after all, choose to be in Cleveland in some capacity. He was originally expected to be drafted by the Baltimore Ravens but ultimately told them not to select him. However, his time in Cleveland hasn’t been much better than what it might have been in Baltimore. So when news broke about his situation, it drew plenty of criticism.
“I think this is insane. … At this point you’re in the fifth round. I understand you had higher hopes, but you’ve dropped to the fifth round and you’re thinking about being a starting quarterback the next year. I think this is incredibly shortsighted. … You want to go to a good organization where you can develop and reach your potential,” Alex Smith said on Sunday NFL Countdown.
Sanders’ name has frequently come up in trade rumors, and now a new team has reportedly entered the mix. In a proposed deal, Sanders would be traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers will be looking for a new QB again next year. While they have league legend Aaron Rodgers in 2025, all indications are that he will be one-and-done after this season. They need to prepare for life after Rodgers. They were also linked to Sanders before April’s draft. Getting him now for a fairly cheap rate to see what he’s got and if he can be developed into a long-term star is worth it for Pittsburgh,” Sportsnaut’s Jason Burgos wrote.
All Sanders wants is a real opportunity, and after this season, that could come in the form of an open quarterback competition. So far, the rookie QB hasn’t had many chances in a Browns uniform. Unless the Steelers sign a veteran in free agency, Sanders would have a legitimate shot to compete for the starting job.
With a talented supporting cast, Pittsburgh could be a far better situation for Sanders—and a valuable landing spot for his potential development.
