Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was hoping to climb up the depth chart after Saturday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. Let’s just say that won’t be happening.
The Browns gave Joe Flacco the start this afternoon so he can knock off the rust before Week 1. He completed all but one of his 10 pass attempts for 71 yards with a touchdown. Once his day was over, Dillon Gabriel was given the opportunity to show what he can do in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. The Oregon product completed 12-of-19 passes for 129 yards with a touchdown.
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After Gabriel picked apart the Rams, the Browns gave Sanders the chance to show what he can do. Unfortunately for the 144th overall pick, he didn’t do enough to improve his chances of making Cleveland’s roster.
Sanders completed just 3-of-6 pass attempts for 14 yards. He was also sacked five times for a loss of 41 yards. While the offense may have been at fault for a few hits, there was one play in particular that fell on him.
During the fourth quarter of action, Sanders was sacked by Rams defensive end Brennan Jackson for a loss of 24 yards. It was a brutal play for the Colorado product, especially since he had time to throw the football away.
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Aug 23, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) reacts during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
NFL fans crush Sanders for his poor performance.
“I get what bro was trying to do but after that first miss it time to turn on the jets or throw that ball out of bounds,” one fan said.
“Throw the ball away my god. I use to think he took sacks instead of throwing it away to keep his completion percentage up. But maybe he just has absolutely no awareness,” a second fan wrote.
“I said he self-sacked himself a lot at CU and people laughed at me. Step up in the pocket or throw the ball away. Other than that I think he could be really good,” another fan commented.
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“At some point you gotta just throw it away man Brady Rodgers Manning Brees, just dirt it & go to the next play,” a social media user added.
Browns accused of sabotaging Shedeur.
While some people criticized Sanders for his struggles on Saturday, others accused Cleveland’s staff of putting him in difficult situations.
“So Kevin Stefanski gives Dillon Gabriel easy, short routes with max protection. And then gives Shedeur Sanders bullshit plays with an OL that looks like they just ate a gang of Little Debbie’s,” one person said.
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“Told y’all the playcalling would change once Shedeur got in. Nothing to get him into rhythm,” another fan wrote.
The Browns wouldn’t gain anything from setting Sanders up to fail. Besides, fans made the same claim before he sliced up the Carolina Panthers for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
Cleveland has until August 26 to decide if Sanders will be on the 53-man roster. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Browns are expected to keep all four of their quarterbacks.
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This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.