Shedeur Sanders has never lacked for confidence. That wasn't an issue at Jackson State, it wasn't an issue at Colorado, and it's not an issue in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, either. Despite falling to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders is an extremely talented player, one that was seen for most of the season as a potential first-round pick. He didn't fall to the fifth round because of a lack of ability.
Sanders has had a good Training Camp so far with the Browns. Statistically, he has outpaced even the veterans, but has really made his case as the rookie QB who Cleveland should prioritize. He has outplayed third-round pick Dillon Gabriel since the beginning of camp.
The former Colorado star, unfortunately, missed practice on Saturday due to what the team described as arm soreness, which led to rampant speculation about a potential forthcoming trade. Sanders put all that to bed during his media availability on Monday, confirming he did, in fact, just have a sore arm.
But the best part of his interview on Monday came when a reporter asked Sanders what people should expect to see from him in an actual game. Sanders, without missing a beat, replied with a question of his own to the reporter: "Have you watched me in college?" Sanders went on to say that he's still the same guy, just perhaps a little bit stronger than he was in Boulder:
A reporter asked Shedeur Sanders what we can expect from him in a game setting and this was his response:
— GUCCE🦬🐦⬛ (@gucceCU) August 4, 2025
“Have you watched me in college? I’m still the same guy”😭💯 pic.twitter.com/Y3UCkJalMw
Shedeur Sanders will look to make a big move in the QB competition this week
The Browns open their three-game preseason schedule on Friday in Carolina against the Panthers. The team hasn't announced who is going to start at QB or how the reps at the position will be divvied up. The expectation is that Sanders will play, though he won't start.
Still, this will give him an opportunity to make a move in the QB competition. He has flashed his potential in camp with live reps, but practice and a game are two different things. The lights will be on, a lot of folks will be watching, and Sanders will have his chance to show the world what Colorado fans already know.
He remains highly confident in his abilities, which is key for a quarterback. He's ready to take on more and more. He won't start on Friday, and he's not likely to be the starter early in the season for the Browns. But most analysts expect Cleveland to, as usual, not be very good this season. That could open the door later on for Sanders to take over the starting job mid-season with an opportunity to prove that he can be the team's franchise QB.