Browns’ Shedeur Sanders Joins Elite Company Without Taking a Snap
Shedeur Sanders didn’t see the field in the Cleveland Browns‘ opener but his jersey continues to fly off the shelf.
Sanders’ jersey ranks as the NFL’s fifth-best seller, according to NFLPA sales data from March 1 to July 31. The only players ahead of the Browns rookie are Philadelphia Eagles stars Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts, Washington Commanders Pro Bowler Jayden Daniels, and reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen. No other Browns player made the top 50.
It’s a testament to Sanders’ popularity, despite his slide from a projected first-round pick to the fifth round. The Browns scooped up Sanders at No. 144, ending his unexpected April draft slide. Sanders has had his moments in training camp and the preseason but opened the year as the No. 3 quarterback on the Browns’ roster. He’s sitting behind 40-year-old starter Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.
Sanders was officially dubbed “inactive” for a Week 1 matchup against the Bengals. The former Colorado star functioned as the team’s third, emergency quarterback. He would have only been able to enter the game if both Flacco and Gabriel were injured and unable to play.
Shedeur Sanders Unlikely to Play for Browns This Season
The Browns face pressure to evaluate both Gabriel and Sanders before next year’s draft. Cleveland holds two first-round picks and could use those assets to pursue one of the top passers. And if the Browns aren’t stringing together wins, it could come sooner than later.
However, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that Sanders is unlikely to see the field this season under the current circumstances.
“For all the football conspiracy theorists out there trying to decode the real reason the Cleveland Browns drafted Shedeur Sanders, here’s the truth: There is no big secret. The pick wasn’t some master plan from ownership,” Russini said. “It was GM Andrew Berry’s call, rooted in his belief that Cleveland’s coaching staff could bring out the best in Sanders and help him grow into an NFL quarterback. It will be a process, and the Browns want to keep developing him.”
She continued, “Don’t plan on seeing the fifth-round pick on the field this season unless things get really weird. Cleveland believes in Joe Flacco’s experience and Dillon Gabriel’s development as the backup.
Shedeur Sanders Understands He Can Improve
Sanders capitalized when he got his first preseason start and the spotlight against the Carolina Panthers. He passed for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Sanders suffered an oblique injury in practice, which prevented him from building on the momentum from his strong performance.
Sanders’ final preseason outing was rough. He completed just three passes and was sacked five times. The Browns also decided to pull Sanders for a two-minute drill situation late with the game on the line.
“Obviously, I feel like I can improve in a lot of areas, like the same thing I said last time. I’m just excited for the opportunity to get out there and play,” Sanders said after the game. “Every day was a new day, every day you learn different things and life lessons that you learn in every situation. I’m coming out of training camp happy that I got the opportunity.”
The Browns face the Baltimore Ravens this week as a double-digit underdog. Sanders is not expected to be active for that matchup.
Lamar Jackson Apologizes to Bills Fan After Shoving Incident: "I Should Have Handled It Differently"
In a heartfelt statement, Lamar Jackson has publicly apologized to the Buffalo Bills fan he shoved during the Ravens’ Sunday night loss, acknowledging his actions and offering some words of advice for the fan involved.
“I want to apologize to the fan—I shouldn’t have reacted that way,” Jackson said in an emotional address. “I let the heat of the moment get the best of me, and I realize now that wasn’t the right way to handle things.”
The incident occurred after a tense series of plays, where Jackson, visibly frustrated, shoved a fan who had been heckling him from the sidelines. The interaction immediately sparked backlash, with many questioning the quarterback’s composure in such a high-stakes situation.
But Jackson didn’t stop at an apology—he also offered guidance to the fan: “Football is emotional, but we’ve got to respect each other. My advice is to keep the spirit of the game alive, without letting things get personal. It’s all about the competition, not about taking things too far.”
The apology comes after both Ravens fans and Bills fans weighed in on the situation, with many applauding Jackson for owning up to his mistake. However, the question remains: Can Jackson move past this incident, or will it haunt him throughout the season?
One thing is certain—Lamar Jackson’s maturity after the incident shows his ability to take responsibility, even in the most frustrating of moments.