The Cleveland Browns fans finally have the answer to one of the biggest questions of the offseason, but it wasn’t what many expected. Everyone was wondering who would be the team’s starting signal-caller in the upcoming season since they have a stacked quarterback room. The Browns drafted two QBs this year in Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, while also having NFL veteran Joe Flacco, Deshaun Watson, and Kenny Pickett on the roster.
On Monday, it was made official that the Browns will go ahead with Joe Flacco as their QB1 for the 2025 NFL season. Many fans were hoping to see Shedeur Sanders get that opportunity, especially after seeing his performance in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers.
Reacting to the news, former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield talked about Sanders’ future with the franchise. He opened up by saying that it’s just the nature of sports, and it teaches life lessons. Mayfield added that Sanders has always been in the spotlight and people will always be critical of everything he does. However, the veteran ended by saying that the rookie is still young and has everything he needs to succeed.
“I mean, it’s tough. Since he was young, he had the spotlight on him, so people are going to be overcritical of every little thing. So, I mean the cliche, ‘control what you can control.’ As a quarterback, that’s how you win a football game and how you elevate the guys around you. I think he himself has all the pieces he needs to have success and it’s about the time and place.”
Check out the video below:
🔥 Class Act. Baker Mayfield Opens Up on Browns & Shedeur Sanders
“I mean it’s tough. Since he was young he had the spotlight on him, so people are going to be over critical of every little thing. He has all the pieces he needs to have success. It’s about the time and place” https://t.co/CcjSwKsoBv pic.twitter.com/7HuRdYMGnq
— JaKi 🇺🇸 (@JaKiTruth) August 20, 2025
NFL analyst makes an interesting prediction about the future of Browns’ rookie Shedeur Sanders
Ever since the news of Joe Flacco becoming the Browns’ QB1 came out, many have been wondering what’s next for Shedeur Sanders. NFL analyst John Middlekauf predicted that Dillon Gabriel will start a regular-season game before Sanders. Speaking on the “3&Out” podcast, he said:
“Joe Flacco was always going to start week 1 for the Cleveland Browns. That’s not the story. The only story is now what’s going to be their quarterback depth chart when the season starts?”
“Dillon Gabriel’s gonna start a game in the regular season, assuming they’re both healthy before Shedeur Sanders, and everyone’s gonna freak out. Yet this organization chose this guy ahead of him for that reason. I think this circus is going to grow dramatically.”
It’ll be interesting to see if Shedeur Sanders gets the opportunity to start any games for Cleveland in the regular season.
