Breaking into the NFL is never easy—especially when the quarterback room is already packed.
For Shedeur Sanders, that reality just got even tougher after a rough Monday that brought not one, but two big blows to his chances of landing a roster spot with the Cleveland Browns.
Sanders Drops to the Bottom of the Depth Chart
Let’s start with the bad news that set the tone.
When the Browns updated their quarterback depth chart this week, Sanders found his name at the very bottom of the list.
He trailed behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillion Gabriel.
For a player fresh out of Colorado and hoping to make his mark, that kind of ranking is not what you want to see heading into the heart of training camp.
Injuries and New Competition Make the Climb Harder
To make matters worse, most of the quarterbacks ahead of Sanders are currently banged up.
Both Pickett and Gabriel are dealing with hamstring injuries, and Sanders himself isn’t fully healthy—he’s nursing a shoulder issue.
Then came the second blow: the Browns went out and signed Tyler Huntley, a veteran QB with multiple seasons of NFL experience under his belt.
Suddenly, the already crowded quarterback room just got even tighter.
Huntley’s Arrival Spells Trouble for Sanders’ Future
Huntley isn’t a stranger to Cleveland, either.
He spent part of last season with the team, which likely gives him a leg up in familiarity with the system and coaching staff.
His signing also signals that the Browns are getting serious about solidifying their QB options, and unfortunately for Sanders, that means fewer reps, fewer chances, and a bigger mountain to climb if he wants to stick around.
Browns Face a Tough Roster Decision Ahead
With five quarterbacks now in the mix, it’s a given that at least one won’t be on the roster come September.
The Browns could keep three QBs on the active roster and stash a fourth on the practice squad—but that still leaves one man out.
Right now, it looks like Flacco is a lock to make the final 53-man roster.
That leaves Pickett, Gabriel, Sanders, and now Huntley fighting for just two spots.
And based on early impressions and experience, Sanders seems to be the odd man out—at least for now.
Sanders’ Odds Keep Getting Longer
It was already going to be a challenge for Sanders.
He was drafted after Gabriel back in April, and he has less NFL exposure than either Flacco or Pickett.
But the recent moves and updated rankings only widen the gap between where he is and where he wants to be.
The NFL is all about opportunity and timing—and right now, both seem to be working against Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland.
