Shedeur Sanders entered the NFL with high expectations, but his journey hasn’t gone as smoothly as many predicted. Despite being touted as a first-round talent, he dropped all the way to the fifth round—a stark reminder that the league has questions about him. Now, as the Browns’ starting QB battle heats up, the same fans who once expected a fast track to a starting role are watching closely, wondering if Sanders can shake off the doubts and deliver when it counts.

Sanders was crisp in individual drills. His mechanics looked refined. The ball came out on time. He was the most vocal of the quarterbacks during team huddles. Observers at Berea reported that he already seemed to be operating with a level of professional calm, something rare for a rookie in May.

As minicamps and OTAs progress, the Cleveland Browns’ coaching staff faces critical roster decisions that will shape the franchise’s direction for the coming season. Kevin Stefanski must navigate the difficult task of cutting players while also resolving the pivotal question of who will take the helm as starting quarterback. This choice carries significant weight, not only for the team’s immediate competitiveness but also for its long-term trajectory. The focus is squarely on Shedeur Sanders. His performance, combined with off-field factors, will heavily influence Stefanski’s decision in what promises to be one of the most consequential quarterback battles of the offseason.

On a clip posted on X by the ‘UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio’ channel, Schefter is caught saying, “A storyline throughout the summer is the quarterback room of the Cleveland Browns. Is there a more interesting topic in the National Football League than who’s going to be the starting quarterback in a division going up against Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow, and maybe Aaron Rodgers?” This seems to be a very accurate representation of what’s going on inside every Browns fan’s mind.

Schefter’s not wrong. The AFC North is unforgiving, and Cleveland can’t afford a slow start. That places a unique kind of pressure on head coach Kevin Stefanski. Does he lean on Flacco’s steadiness? Take a gamble on Pickett’s reboot? Or push the development curve and hand the reins to a rookie who already has national brand recognition and a potential franchise ceiling?

If we are to believe the reports that came post the rookie minicamp, Shedeur Sanders definitely has the edge. Not only did Sanders perform better than fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, but his age can become a factor. Considering that Joe Flacco is now 40 years old, the chances of him being the starting QB seem slim. With Deshaun Watson out of the race due to a second Achilles tear, the only candidate left competing is Kenny Pickett.

This is probably far from what Shedeur must have thought while coming into the team. He knew there would be competition, but with the reports about his extravagant behavior and lifestyle. He will have to tread carefully while simultaneously performing at the highest level in the OTAs to ensure that his controversies do not dictate his career growth.

Shedeur Sanders stirs $500,000 controversy

Just weeks after his draft, Sanders would have wanted to be in the headlines for being the starting QB. However, as fate would have it, he is in the headlines for a different reason. His luxurious and extravagant lifestyle. Sanders has always had a passion for cars, and his garage is currently the most impressive. He already boasts of having a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, a Lamborghini Urus, a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, and a Mercedes EQB. But it is his latest purchase that has caught the internet by storm, with fans criticizing him.

Soon after, NFL reporter Dov Kleiman posted a video of an $500,000 Olive Green Rolls-Royce Phantom being delivered and claimed that it was the rookie’s latest purchase. Fans started backlashing and heavily criticized the Browns’ QB for not focusing enough on his game, as Tom Brady had advised him to. Tom Brady had earlier advised Sanders to focus on his game tape more than his car room. But no luck. This has generated a massive public reaction against the QB. While Shedeur replied, rejecting the rumours and saying, “Another lie…. I’m focused on my team not a car purchase!” The damage to his public image has already been done.

While the coach might not take a significant role in decision-making solely based on this controversy, it will be interesting to see how things unfold in the OTAs. The main question in everyone’s head is: Who turns out to be the team’s best-performing QB and who gets the cut?