Shedeur Sanders Says Browns Depth Chart Was a “Wake-Up Call” to Start NFL Season
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is entering his first NFL season with the kind of determination that has already defined his football journey. But according to Sanders himself, his initial placement on the Browns’ depth chart was a reality check.
Speaking about the adjustment to the pro level, Sanders admitted that he had different expectations coming out of the draft. “During the draft process, I was told I’d be one of the top two quarterbacks,” Sanders explained. “When that didn’t happen, I was disappointed. But it’s a wake-up call. I know I have to work even harder now.”
The Browns’ depth chart currently places Sanders behind the established veterans, signaling that he may have to bide his time before taking meaningful snaps. For a player with a high-profile college career at Colorado under his father, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, the adjustment has been humbling—but also motivating.
Sanders emphasized that this is far from a setback. Instead, he views the experience as an opportunity to grow and sharpen his skills. “It just makes me hungrier,” he said. “The dream is still to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, and that’s what I’m working toward every single day.”
The Browns drafted Sanders with the expectation that he could be a valuable piece of their quarterback room’s future. With his strong arm, mobility, and poise under pressure, his ceiling remains high. However, like many young quarterbacks, his path to the field will require patience, consistency, and resilience.
For now, Sanders seems ready to embrace the grind. The early lesson has already shaped his mindset: in the NFL, nothing is given—everything is earned.
