Home / Sports / Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders Faces Uphill Battle for Browns' QB1 Spot
Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders Faces Uphill Battle for Browns' QB1 Spot
4 Aug
Summary
- Shedeur Sanders sidelined with arm soreness, fueling trade speculation
- Dillon Gabriel firmly ahead of Sanders on Browns' depth chart
- Veteran Joe Flacco emerges as "strong favorite" for Week 1 start

As of August 4th, 2025, the Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation is in flux, with rookie Shedeur Sanders facing an uphill battle to secure the starting job.
According to reports, Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, was sidelined from team drills on Saturday due to arm soreness. While the team has not confirmed the severity of the injury, the timing has fueled speculation that the Browns may be considering a trade involving the young quarterback.
Sanders' battle for the QB1 spot against Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland's third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has been anything but close. Gabriel has consistently taken more reps and sits firmly ahead of Sanders on the depth chart, as per The Athletic's Zac Jackson.
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Meanwhile, veteran Joe Flacco has surged to "strong favorite" status after delivering sharp performances during training camp. The injury to Sanders only deepens concerns about his future with the team.
If the speculation proves true, Sanders' Browns stint could be over before the start of the 2025 NFL season, with a trade potentially coming after the conclusion of training camp. The Browns' crowded QB room has become even more complex, and Coach Prime's son might be the odd man out.