The Cleveland Browns will begin the 2025 NFL season with Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback. Behind Flacco, the team has two rookies as their backups. Both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will be looking to earn playing time in their first professional seasons.
Gabriel will begin the season as Flacco’s primary backup. Sanders will be the No. 3 quarterback.
Despite being the No. 3 option under center for the Browns, Sanders is one of the most talked-about players in the NFL. His dad, being the legendary Deion Sanders, is a big reason, but his talent and the calls for him to get on the field have grown very loud as well.
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There are still many who believe that Sanders will be the starting quarterback in Cleveland by the end of the season.
Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks on from the sideline during an NFL preseason football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on August 16, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks on from the sideline during an NFL preseason football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on August 16, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images
Most recently, former NFL linebacker Channing Crowder spoke out with a shocking prediction about Sanders’ future. He believes that the rookie will take over as the starter for the Browns in the very near future.
As shared by “The Pivot” podcast, Crowder revealed his belief about Sanders.
“Joe Flacco is 716 years old. Shedeur Sanders is about to be the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns here coming up in a month or two,” Crowder said.
Sanders has become a very polarizing player in the NFL. Some fans want him to find success, while others are rooting for him to be a bust.
At this point in time, there is truly no way to predict what the future has in store for the former Colorado standout. Sanders has the talent and potential to be a very special NFL quarterback. However, there is a lot of work for him to do to reach that level.
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Expect to hear a lot of talk as the season moves forward. The calls for Sanders to play will grow louder with each passing game that Cleveland struggles. It is widely expected that the Browns are heading into what will be a rough year.
Should Flacco struggle to begin the year and if the team isn’t winning, Gabriel will likely be given the first shot to start. If he’s unable to show that he can be a franchise-caliber quarterback, Sanders could very well get the starting nod.
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