As training camp gets underway for NFL teams, one of the most intriguing storylines still resides in the Cleveland Browns' quarterback room.
The Browns currently have five quarterbacks, including Deshaun Watson, although four will compete for the starting job once camp begins on July 18. Watson is still recovering from an Achilles injury, leaving Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders to battle it out.
But when talking about the Browns’ quarterback group, all anyone really wants to know about is the former Colorado Buffaloes legend. Drafted in the fifth round and entering a crowded depth chart, there’s no guarantee Sanders will even make the final roster.
Right now, almost anything seems possible for Sanders' NFL career. He could be traded, fall behind on the depth chart or possibly be cut altogether. But if he somehow snags the QB1 job, Fox Sports' Henry McKenna says there's no guarantee he'll keep it beyond 2024.
"If he somehow leaps past Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel, Sanders will have to worry about next year," McKenna wrote. "Even if he plays serviceably, there’s no guarantee he’s Cleveland’s future at QB. The 2026 draft will offer plenty of quarterbacks, and, potentially under a new head coach, the Browns would be in position to draft one. Certainly, Sanders would have to be something special to overcome this roster that has talent in key places (WR Jerry Jeudy, TE David Njoku, rookie RBs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson) but big holes at just about every spot on the offensive line. The defense isn’t one with many bragging rights either."
Back in April, shortly after Sanders was drafted, former Fox Sports analyst Emmanuel Acho labeled him a "camp body" brought in just to fill out the roster.
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“The reality for Shedeur Sanders is this: As a fifth-round pick, it rarely matters how talented you are—you may never even get the opportunity to win the starting job,” Acho said. “Sometimes, as a fifth-, sixth- or seventh-round pick, they are already cutting you. You are a camp body. You are there for training camp.”
Whether that becomes true or not remains to be seen as the Browns begin camp. One thing is certain—Sanders must prove himself, and silence his doubters, one way or another.