The Cleveland Browns made rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders the third quarterback on Sunday for the game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Sanders is behind Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel on the depth chart.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) throws as quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) looks on during rookie minicamp May 9, 2025, in Berea.
The Browns lost the game over the Bengals by a final score of 17-16. This was a game that Cleveland could have won over Cincinnati if it wasn’t for a missed extra point and a missed field goal. The quarterback play was not the problem for Cleveland on Sunday against Cincinnati.
ESPN Cleveland Radio Gets Critical of Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders
Aug 23, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) and quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) walk off the field after the game between the Browns and the Los Angeles Rams at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Even with Sanders not playing on Sunday, ESPN Cleveland radio for some reason was critical of the rookie quarterback. Aaron Goldhammer of ESPN Cleveland radio said about Sanders,
“On the sideline, with the backwards hat, sunglasses, and the whole look of it, I would just remind Shedeur, lock in on the game.”
No matter what Sanders does for the Browns, the Cleveland sports media is going to be following every move he does for the Browns on the sidelines of games and other things as well. The Browns probably don’t have plans for Sanders to play in games right now.
With that being said, he can very well play later in the season and that is probably why Goldhammer thinks he should pay attention to what is happening on the field. The Browns next game in Week 2 will be on the road on Sunday against Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson, and the Baltimore Ravens.
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