Shedeur Sanders could not hide his frustration after being taken out of the Browns’ preseason finale – but the quarterback is set to make Cleveland’s final roster for the 2025 season.
Sanders – the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders – has been part of a packed quarterback room alongside Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Tyler Huntley and Dillon Gabriel.
He was replaced by Huntley for the final drive of Saturday’s preseason game against the Rams after enduring a nightmare afternoon. But on Sunday, ESPN revealed that the Browns are releasing Huntley and plan to include its four remaining quarterbacks in the 53-man roster.
Sanders enjoyed a stunning debut in their preseason opener against the Panthers before missing last week’s game against Eagles due to an oblique injury.
Saturday’s clash with Los Angeles represented his final chance to cement his place on the roster before Tuesday’s deadline. He was Kevin Stefanski’s third quarterback into the game, behind veteran starter Flacco and third-round rookie Gabriel.
But the quarterback suffered a punishing afternoon, taking nearly as many sacks (five) as passes he attempted (six).
Shedeur Sanders could not hide his frustration after taken out of the Browns’ preseason finale
The quarterback has been battling for a place on Cleveland’s 53-man roster for the season
Sanders was sacked five times before being replaced by Tyler Huntley against the Rams
Sanders – who suffered an embarrassing draft slide before being selected by the Browns with the 144th pick – played most of the second half before being replaced by Huntley.
The 23-year-old was visibly unhappy on the sideline after Huntley was chosen to orchestrate Cleveland’s game-winning field drive.
‘In the heat of the battle, you want to be that alpha,’ Sanders said, per ESPN. ‘You want to be that dog. You want to be out there in that final two-minute drive. So of course, small things, of course frustrate, but that’s what happens when you want to be a player to be able to change a franchise.’
Sanders added: ‘It wasn’t my decision… of course, that’s every quarterback’s dream and that’s what every quarterback thrives for – those moments – so it wasn’t me.’
Flacco told his fellow quarterback that dealing with difficult situations is ‘part of being a rookie’ and Sanders paid tribute to how his replacement played.
The ex-Colorado star was asked after the game if he thinks he will make the roster. ‘Obviously,’ he said. ‘I feel like I do (belong there), but I’m my own player. I think about myself in a high regard, of course.’
