The Unexpected Journey of Shedeur Sanders: From Draft Day Disappointment to NFL Starter

When 2025 began, Shedeur Sanders stood at the precipice of what should have been the most significant year of his life. As one of the top quarterback prospects in the NFL Draft, Sanders was widely projected to be selected within the first few picks, potentially going to the New York Giants at No. 3. The worst-case scenario for the talented quarterback seemed to be falling to the New Orleans Saints at the ninth pick following Derek Carr’s retirement. However, reality proved far more surprising and challenging than anyone could have anticipated, as Sanders watched round after round pass without hearing his name called while quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel all found NFL homes before him. When the call finally came, it was the Cleveland Browns selecting him with the 144th pick in the fifth round—a stunning fall for a player once considered among the draft’s elite prospects.

In the aftermath of the draft, Sanders faced what appeared to be a coordinated smear campaign that raised questions about his character and readiness for the NFL. Reports emerged of a prank call from an assistant coach’s son pretending to be a team executive, while anonymous coaches described his formal interview as “the worst” and labeled him as “entitled.” The New York Giants, once considered a likely landing spot, reportedly found Sanders disinterested during meetings, and media obligations were allegedly skipped before important college games. Even minor infractions like two speeding tickets were scrutinized, contributing to a narrative that seemed designed to justify his dramatic slide in the draft. Through this storm of criticism, Sanders found an unexpected ally in President Donald Trump, who publicly called NFL owners “stupid” for passing on the quarterback and later celebrated with an “I TOLD YOU SO” after Sanders won his first professional start.

Sanders began his professional career as the Cleveland Browns’ third-string quarterback behind veterans Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel, a position influenced by Deshaun Watson’s Achilles rehabilitation and the team’s decision to trade Kenny Pickett shortly after the draft. His path to playing time opened up midseason when Flacco was traded, elevating Sanders to the backup role. When Gabriel suffered a concussion in just his second start, Sanders was thrust into action. In a bizarre coincidence that seemed to reflect the unpredictability of his journey, the very day Sanders took over quarterback duties, three masked burglars broke into his home, stealing approximately $200,000 worth of possessions—a personal violation occurring simultaneously with his professional breakthrough.

Despite the tumultuous circumstances surrounding his entry into the NFL spotlight, Sanders managed to win his first start, convincing the Browns to continue with their fifth-round selection at quarterback. The results since then have been mixed at best, as Sanders compiled a 1-4 record heading into Week 17, throwing for 1,103 yards with six touchdowns against eight interceptions and completing just 55.1% of his passes. These numbers, while not disastrous for a rookie quarterback thrust into a starting role midseason, certainly haven’t silenced his critics or definitively proven the NFL wrong for allowing him to fall so far in the draft. The Browns now find themselves in an interesting position, holding their own early draft pick plus the Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-rounder, giving them various options to address their quarterback situation moving forward.

Through all the scrutiny, setbacks, and challenges, Sanders has maintained an unwavering belief in his abilities and potential. He confidently declared himself “the one” Browns fans “have been looking for”—a bold statement from a fifth-round pick with mixed early results. This self-assurance, which some might label as the entitlement his critics described, could also be viewed as the necessary confidence required to succeed at the sport’s most demanding position. Sanders’ journey represents the razor-thin margins in professional sports evaluation, where perceptions can dramatically alter career trajectories before they truly begin, and where redemption stories are written through persistence and performance rather than draft position.

As 2026 approaches, the Cleveland Browns and their fans will gain greater clarity on whether Sanders is indeed their franchise quarterback or merely another name in the organization’s long list of signal-callers who couldn’t quite deliver on their promise. What remains certain is that Sanders’ path to NFL relevance has already defied conventional wisdom and expectations. Whether he ultimately validates his own confidence or proves his critics correct, his story serves as a compelling reminder of how unpredictable professional sports careers can be, and how quickly narratives can shift based on performance. For now, Sanders continues to weather the storm, determined to write his own NFL legacy despite the unexpected and challenging beginning to his professional journey.