Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Dominating 'Imaginary Football' in June
Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Dominating 'Imaginary Football' in June originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
As the calendar flipped to June exactly one week ago, there are many in and around the Cleveland Browns who have already crowned fifth-round draft pick Shedeur Sanders as the starter in Week 1.
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There's just one problem. ... He doesn't appear ready, yet.
While Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie draft pick, Dillon Gabriel, stockpile OTA reps with the first teamers, Sanders is playing with everyone else. That would indicate his current place on the depth chart is fourth out of four.
Jason McIntyre, co-host of The Herd with Colin Cowherd is trying to bring some reality to the situation and spoke up on Thursday, even as Colin was on vacation.
"And the Shedeur Sanders drama continues. Folks, listen. You never want to overreact to ... can we call it imaginary football in June? They're not playing with real effort. It's basic stuff. And the division that we're seeing is massive. What you see people saying about Sanders, you would think he's ready to start Week 1. You see former NFL quarterbacks on social media breaking down every pass. ... You see Colin Cowherd, who's not even on this continent, but is checking in on Shedeur Sanders' OTAs. Despite all the hype for Shedeur, he's the only quarterback on the Browns who wasn't playing with the [first team]," McIntyre said.
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"You guys need to go do some more homework before you crowns Shedeur Sanders. ... The guy's got 'Be Legendary' as his motto. He's throwing really lavish NFL Draft parties. And he's fourth on the depth chart, decidedly."
None of this bodes well for Sanders as the starting quarterback in Week 1, or at anytime this season for the Browns.
Coach Kevin Stefanski is known as somewhat of a quarterback whisperer. If he can't find a spot for Sanders in the top three positions in the quarterback room, no one can.
Related: Myles Garrett 'Prepared' to Handle Pressure of New Contract
Related: Joe Flacco's 'Overall Experience' Makes Him Favorite to Land Browns' Starting QB Job
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
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