Takeaways for Shedeur Sanders‘ role in Cleveland at this point: he isn’t starting against the Ravens in Week 2. That’s obvious. And as things stand, the Browns aren’t even planning to roll with him as QB1 all season unless someone goes down. Also obvious. The real twist on his role, though? On Thursday, the Browns insider, Tony Rizzo, pointed out that the 23-year-old isn’t even running routes for the scout team.

Rizzo didn’t hold back against Kevin Stefanski’s team, basically asking: Why is Shedeur even there if he’s not doing scout work? The team stayed quiet, of course, but quarterback coach Bill Musgrave admitted that it isn’t actually true. He explained that Shedeur, along with Dillon Gabriel and Bailey Zappe, rotate through scout team duties at different times. “I’d say it’s a little bit different,” Musgrave said.

“It’s exciting because those guys do take pride in getting the defense ready. They want to do a good job of replicating the opponent’s offense and at the same time, they want to try to relate any play that they get to our game plan for that week too, so they can feel like they can get a little double duty.” Shedeur is, of course, the emergency QB in Cleveland, serving behind Joe Flacco and Gabriel.

But things took a turn when Rizzo took a jab at the Browns, claiming that the Colorado product isn’t running routes for the scout team. “I’m hearing Shedeur is not even running scout team. He’s literally watching everyone,” Rizzo said. “Why is (Sanders) on the team? Why is he even here if that is what you think, because his jersey is selling? The Haslams don’t need jersey money, do they. Then why is he on the team if he’s not even running scout team?”

Zappe spent part of the 2024 season with the Browns (started the season finale). And after Stefanski and his crew traded Kenny Pickett just days before the season opener, they brought the journeyman quarterback on the practice squad. However, what’s actually bothered Rizzo was the Browns reportedly using Zappe as the scout team quarterback rather than their third stringer. The writing was on the wall: Shedeur Sanders’ future in Cleveland is starting to look pretty bleak.

Fast forward to now, and the Browns’ QB coach has confirmed that the fifth-rounder is actually running routes with the other signal-callers. Taken all together, it’s safe to say that even though Shedeur isn’t the Browns’ QB1, he’s still the biggest storyline in Cleveland. While The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that Shedeur won’t start until things get “really weird,” Tony Rizzo urged the Cleveland team to let go of Shedeur.

It all comes down to trade rumors for Shedeur Sanders

The Browns head into Week 2 against the Ravens, a game that also happens to mark Baltimore’s 30th anniversary since the team relocated. But even with all the history on the line, Shedeur Sanders is grabbing the spotlight again. The debate over whether he’s even running scout team reps is palpable, but Tony Rizzo straight-up suggested the team should move on from Shedeur if they’re not going to give him a real shot.

“If you’re not going to give Shedeur a chance, let him go. Let him go,” Rizzo, who’s been a constant supporter of the Colorado product, ranted. “Are they just keeping him around for SportsCenter hits, and Stephen A. show, and jersey sales? Or are they going to give this kid a chance to play?” For now, it’s unlikely for Shedeur to get an opportunity to start in his rookie season, unless an injury comes knocking on the Browns’ QB room.

Which naturally raises the question: If the Browns aren’t planning to tap into Shedeur’s talent, could a trade actually happen? Things are looking messy, and the rumors swirling make it clear there’s a disconnect between Shedeur and the team’s vision. Nothing’s official yet, sure. There’s no word on which team, if any, is interested. But if Cleveland takes Rizzo’s advice, a trade could be on the table. When or how would that happen? That’s still anyone’s guess. Or… maybe it doesn’t happen at all. After all, it’s the Browns’ QB room we’re talking about.