A September 13 report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter has changed the way Shedeur Sanders’ time in Cleveland is being looked at. Schefter claims that the Ravens were ready to draft him back in April, fifth round, card in hand. But here’s the twist: Sanders turned them down, not wanting to sit in the shadows behind a superstar like Lamar Jackson. And now, for the first time, Sanders is breaking his silence on that decision.

Sanders didn’t spill much with his words, but you could read between the lines — enough to know those reports were very real. “My response is I’m focused on the now. I don’t really talk about anything in the past and whatever happened in the past, it is what it is. I’m more focused on now. I’m more focused on how this game that we just gone and had and figuring out how to move forward from now.”

The young QB definitely knows how to calm the storm — no doubt a lesson drilled into him by Coach Prime. But looking at where he’s landed with the Browns right now, you can’t help but wonder: Does he secretly regret shutting the door on the Ravens?

Let’s be real — Sanders has always been scraping the bottom of the barrel in Cleveland. When Kenny Pickett was here, he was buried as QB4. After Pickett left, he slid up to QB3, still stuck behind fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. And that’s with Deshaun Watson sidelined by an Achilles injury. The kicker? Watson’s return isn’t far off… which means Sanders’ window might slam shut just as fast as it opened.

So, if he did end up going to the Ravens, would his situation be as bad as it is now at the Browns? The answer is…not too different. They’ve got Lamar Jackson as QB1, whose name is obviously set in stone as QB1. He’s pegged to be the MVP this season, after all.

And don’t forget about Cooper Rush holding down the backup spot — about as steady a QB2 as you’ll find. Sure, he’s 31, but Baltimore just signed him this offseason, which means he’s not going anywhere for at least another year or two. Yes, Sanders is third-string in the Browns, and he probably would’ve been third string at the Ravens.

Here’s the kicker: Sanders actually has a clearer path up the depth chart in Cleveland than he ever would’ve in Baltimore. Joe Flacco is 40, and behind him is rookie Gabriel — a guy Sanders could realistically leapfrog if he shows consistency. Lamar, though? Let’s be honest — Sanders was never going to unseat him.

But as things stand, it seems like Sanders isn’t climbing the ladder anytime soon.

Kevin Stefanski’s QB decision is bad news for Shedeur Sanders

Funnily enough, these reports surfaced right around Ravens’ matchup with the Browns, in what was a big 41-17 thumping in favour of the Ravens. Former Oregon Ducks star QB Dillon Gabriel finally got his first taste of NFL action on Sunday.

Yes, Gabriel finally saw the field in the loss to the Ravens. Joe Flacco struggled, going 25-of-45 for 199 yards with a touchdown and a pick. Late in the game, Gabriel got his shot — and made it count, completing all three of his passes for 20 yards and tossing the first touchdown of his NFL career.

But don’t get it twisted, this isn’t a permanent promotion just yet. After the game, head coach Kevin Stefanski shut down any talk of a quarterback switch. He made it clear: Joe Flacco is still his starter, and that’s not changing anytime soon. And that’s bad news for third-string Shedeur Sanders.

Right now, it looks like the Browns are rolling with a Flacco–Gabriel rotation, with Sanders not even making the active list today. For him to see the field, it’ll likely take weeks of both guys ahead of him slipping up. And if that moment ever comes, Sanders will have to make every snap count. Because that could define the entire trajectory of his Browns career.