Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is on the roster, but his practice role may surprise fans.
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According to veteran Cleveland radio host Tony Rizzo (via Mike Florio), Sanders is not currently receiving meaningful reps in practice. Instead, Bailey Zappe, who is on the practice squad, is running the scout team ahead of the 2025 fifth-round pick.
That puts Sanders fourth in line behind starter Joe Flacco, backup Dillon Gabriel and Zappe — a curious spot for a player drafted 144th overall. Rizzo noted on his weekday program that Sanders is "getting nothing right now," raising questions about how the team plans to develop the rookie.
Quarterbacks need repetitions to improve, and practice is often the best opportunity for young players to get them, Florio wrote. If Sanders is not seeing time with the starters, backups, or even the scout team, he faces an uphill climb to progress.
That said, most NFL teams are going to play the players who they feel are most capable. And for better or worse, we may need to come to grips with the idea that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam (and wife Dee) demanded the selection of Sanders for but one reason — and that would be to seel jerseys and move merchandise.
That's all speculation, but knowing the Haslams as we do, it's not that crazy.
The Browns drafted Gabriel in the third round, and he quickly secured the No. 2 job during training camp and the preseason. That left Sanders battling for scraps, with Zappe apparently earning the edge for scout-team duties.
For now, Sanders' role is unclear. The Browns invested a mid-round pick in him, but he is not in the mix on the field at practice. Unless that changes, he will be watching from behind Zappe — an unexpected twist for one of the most high-profile rookies in this year's draft class.
