Ever since Shedeur Sanders slumped in the drafts and landed in Cleveland as a fifth-round pick, odds have been against the rookie. But that’s the best part about being at the bottom, the only way is up. And history has been in favor, albeit rarely. In the most recent memory, Dak Prescott was selected as a fourth-rounder in 2016, and got the starting job on the opening day. Still, it wasn’t exactly what the QB out of Mississippi State did than the Cowboys’ primary signal caller getting injured. Nevertheless, there’s a chance even if he has four more competitors to fight off.

Deshaun Watson was already sidelined with an injury to leave HC Kevin Stefanski with three more QBs in his rather spilling QB room– rookie Dillon Gabriel and vets Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. But despite a slow start in spring practice, the Colorado Buffs alum proved he can work with Stefanski’s offense. However, all Stefanski reasoned was, “Let’s not look too much into who’s out there when.”

In the OTAs and mandatory minicamp sessions earlier, Sanders threw for 77.4% (41-for-53) with 9 TDs and an INT, best in the QB room. Spending time with Flacco, he is also showing grasp on the scheme despite primarily only working with the fourth team. But seemingly showing potential and being seen as the future QB might not be enough to grab the Week-1 opening spot as the latest update hints his chances for a QB1 ride are bleak as ever.

Former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh gave a blunt update on the QB battle in Cleveland. “I was told by somebody that’s in the building, that ain’t a player, it’s really coming down to Kenny Pickett or Dillon Gabriel.” But he didn’t leave his work just there.

Houshmandzadeh questioned the optics of Shedeur Sanders’ impressive completion rate during an appearance on the Nightcap show with Darren Waller: “Now, when you get the reports that Shedeur’s completed 7 of 9 passes. Like, is it against starters or is it threes and fours? Guys that’s going to get released? If it’s not against the starters or guys that’s going to be on the team. You don’t know how they dividing up the reps, and it’s virtually impossible.” Translation? Shedeur may be lighting it up his chances, but the coaches probably aren’t.

Per reports, Shedeur hasn’t played a single first-team snap, even though he statistically outperformed every quarterback in the building. Not one. Dillon Gabriel? Getting reps. Kenny Pickett? Practically living with the ones. Joe Flacco, who is forty, is also getting meaningful work. But Shedeur? Locked at QB4. It’s not a warning sign. It’s a flare gun. And his off-the-field adventures aren’t helping either. Shedeur made his rookie offseason into a Need for Speed sequel, going from 91 mph in Brunswick Hills to 101 mph in Strongsville. And to make matters worse? He did not appear in court. Instead, he attended a softball game and tried to joke it off.

So, obviously critics raised eyebrows. Mark Schleret warned Shedeur, saying, “Nothing is guaranteed for you. At some point, you got to understand.” Then, some are going all in with the #legendary belief. Kimberley A. Martin and Louis Riddick of ESPN both stated that Shedeur might be the team’s greatest pure passer. But without reps, he’s stuck as the guy in the quarterback room with no key to the front door. It’s not just unfair. It appears to be rigged now because warning signs are coming from the team itself.

Diontae Johnson says Kenny Pickett might just be the Browns’ plan A

While before the camps, everyone was leaning on Flacco, Browns WR, Diontae Johnson, sees Kenny Pickett as already penciled in. Johnson casually dropped the bomb on the Sports and Suits podcast: “I think they are going to roll with Kenny for right now.” Say what you want about Pickett’s rocky Steelers run, but the guy has NFL starts. At least he knows what it looks like when a pro-tackle rushes at you.

“I think they are probably going to roll with him just to see like he’s coming off a season with Philly and having a Super Bowl. So, I think they are going to stick with him through the preseason. Then you know they can live with Joe and what he brings to the table.” Translation: The break-glass emergency is Flacco. Shedeur and Gabriel? 2026 development initiatives.

After the Deshaun Watson disaster, the Browns aren’t looking for a savior. They’re looking for a stable QB room. Right now, Pickett offers that. Sanders offers intrigue. But intrigue doesn’t win Week 1. For Shedeur Sanders, this summer was supposed to be about proving he belonged. And maybe he still does—on paper, the talent is undeniable. But in a franchise still recovering from QB heartbreak, it looks like Cleveland isn’t in the mood for another risk.