Shedeur Sanders going unpicked in the first few rounds of the 2025 NFL draft is still a hot topic today, even after the rookie quarterback completed his training camp with the Cleveland Browns who finally bagged him. Even as the draft was taking place, there were already reports going around as to why Deion Sanders’ youngest son may not be the first choice for many teams.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws during NFL training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Berea, Ohio.
The reasons were many, with some analysts calling out the young quarterback’s ‘brash’ attitude, while still others blamed his father, Deion ‘Coach Prime’ Sanders. Quite recently, former NFL cornerback, Asante Samuel had a few strong words to say on the matter, basically calling out all NFL team owners for concocting a conspiracy to keep Sanders unpicked in the draft.
“Jimmy Haslam, finally came forward to address who was responsible for drafting Shedeur Sanders. My instincts told me Jimmy Haslam broke the code between owners by stepping up and drafting Shedeur Sanders. That’s exactly what happened in my opinion. For Shedeur to have made it to the fifth round makes it obvious something was going on behind the scenes concerning him in the draft process. I think 32 teams were intent on not drafting Shedeur Sanders and making him go undrafted. That is so sad.” Asante Samuel spoke about Shedeur Sanders’ draft process in his ‘Say What Needs To Be Said’ podcast recently.
Jul 23, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) walks off the field during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Jul 23, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) walks off the field during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
According to Asante Samuel, Jimmy Haslam, owner of the Cleveland Browns, did not give much thought to the ‘pact’ with the other team owners and swooped into the fifth round to pick Shedeur Sanders, since it would mean strengthening his quarterback room.
Shedeur Sanders To Start For Cleveland Browns In Preseason Opener
Meanwhile, it looks like Shedeur Sanders has finally gotten an amazing opportunity to show the other teams just what they missed out on. Quite recently, it was announced that Sanders will be starting in the first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. Of course, this does not necessarily mean that the rookie quarterback will go on to start for the regular season as well, but fans can only hope so.
Jul 28, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws a pass during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Jul 28, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws a pass during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Sanders is not the only rookie quarterback that the Cleveland Browns will be trying out during the preseason. Dillon Gabriel, who was picked in the third round, is also expected to be one of the preseason starters. Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco is predicted to start for the team in the 2025 NFL regular season, with Kenny Pickett acting as his backup quarterback.
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