Browns’ Quarterback Carousel: Cam Newton’s Take on Shedeur Sanders
Former NFL quarterback and media personality Cam Newton has sparked debate with his recent commentary on the Cleveland Browns’ treatment of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. As the Browns navigate through quarterback changes, Newton’s perspective offers a thought-provoking look at the intersection of talent, opportunity, and business in professional football.
The Browns’ quarterback situation has seen significant shifts, with veteran Joe Flacco recently being benched after throwing two interceptions in a 34-10 loss to the Detroit Lions. Rather than promoting Sanders, the team elevated Dillon Gabriel to the starting position for their Week 5 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, keeping Flacco as the backup and Sanders third on the depth chart. When reporters questioned Sanders about this quarterback shuffle, the rookie responded by pantomiming answers in the locker room—a silent gesture that followed NFL analyst Rex Ryan’s criticisms of Sanders’ outspoken nature. This moment caught Newton’s attention and formed the foundation of his controversial take.
On his “4th&1” podcast, Newton didn’t mince words: “I don’t think they want Shedeur Sanders to be successful in Cleveland.” He elaborated that if the Browns truly wanted to give someone every opportunity to succeed, Sanders has experienced “the opposite of that.” Newton pointed to Sanders’ preseason performance as evidence, noting how the 23-year-old threw two touchdowns in an exhibition win over the Carolina Panthers when given quality teammates. However, after missing the second preseason game due to injury, Sanders struggled in the finale against the Los Angeles Rams—a situation Newton attributes to poor support: “If you want to see a real clear-cut identifier if he’s capable or not, you put him with the 1s. Or you put him with the valuable 2s. Don’t put him with the trash.”
Newton’s analysis evolved into what he termed a “conspiracy theory” about the Browns’ motivations regarding Sanders. He suggested that while Sanders possesses the talent to succeed in the NFL, many teams might hesitate to take on the “circus-like attention that he brings naturally.” This situation, according to Newton, has left the Browns in a business predicament: “If we cut Shedeur that would be bad for business. Business being, he’s good for business on our roster. If we cut him, he’s going to be picked up by somebody.” The former MVP quarterback emphasized his belief that Sanders represents a unique marketing opportunity for Cleveland, asking rhetorically, “When have we ever had a person on our roster to move the needle?… The Cleveland Browns have never had a player in modern day that pushes the needle like Shedeur Sanders.”
The timing of Newton’s comments is particularly notable as they come amid the Browns’ struggles, entering Week 5 with a disappointing 1-3 record. Flacco’s poor performance against Detroit created an opportunity for a quarterback change, but the organization’s decision to bypass Sanders in favor of Gabriel has only intensified scrutiny on their handling of the rookie quarterback. The situation raises questions about whether NFL teams prioritize on-field performance, locker room dynamics, business considerations, or some complex combination when making quarterback decisions.
As this quarterback drama continues to unfold in Cleveland, Newton’s perspective highlights the complex realities facing young players in the NFL—especially those with high profiles like Sanders. Whether or not Newton’s assessment proves accurate, it underscores the multifaceted challenges facing both the Browns organization and Sanders himself as they navigate this early chapter in what could be a lengthy and complicated professional relationship. For now, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Sanders eventually gets his opportunity to prove himself on the field, or if Newton’s concerns about his situation in Cleveland prove prophetic.
