Shedeur Sanders, the young quarterback and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, entered the NFL with sky-high expectations. Known for his impressive college career at Colorado, Sanders was considered a potential first-round pick. However, after an unexpected slide to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns decided to give him a shot. What followed during the preseason, however, was a controversy that has left the football world divided. Was Sanders the victim of a systematic attempt to sabotage his career, or was his rough start just a reflection of the brutal realities of rookie development in the NFL?

The Preseason Debacle: A Start That Shocked the NFL

Sanders’ first real taste of NFL action came during the Browns’ preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams on August 23, 2025. It was a moment that would define his professional journey—one filled with both intense scrutiny and high expectations. However, the results were far from promising. The numbers were staggering: just three completions on six attempts for a measly 14 yards. Five sacks, a mere single first down, and a performance that left fans and analysts alike questioning what had gone wrong.

However, as the game ended and Sanders walked off the field, it became clear that there was more to the story. The physical and statistical struggles were one thing, but what followed became even more concerning. The final controversy ignited when Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski made a questionable decision with just two minutes left in the game. Instead of giving Sanders the opportunity to lead a game-winning drive—something every rookie quarterback dreams of—he was benched in favor of veteran Tyler Huntley.

In an emotional post-game interview, Sanders shared his confusion and disappointment, revealing how the decision seemed to come out of nowhere. “I didn’t know I was out,” Sanders said, still reeling from the unexpected turn of events. Huntley, who would be cut from the team just days later, was given the chance to take control of the final moments of the game. Fans and analysts alike were stunned, and many began questioning Stefanski’s intentions.

Is This Sabotage?

The allegations of sabotage began to surface shortly after. NFL experts like TJ Houshmandzadeh, Chad Johnson, and Shannon Sharpe voiced their outrage, suggesting that Sanders was being systematically undermined by the Browns organization. They argued that the situation went beyond one bad game or a single decision—it was part of a larger pattern of limiting Sanders’ opportunities to succeed.

One of the more striking examples of this pattern was the difference in the quality of the offensive line Sanders played behind compared to other rookie quarterbacks. While fellow rookie Dylan Gabriel was playing behind the Browns’ second- and third-string offensive lines, Sanders was left scrambling behind the fourth- and fifth-string units. The disparity was glaring. Gabriel, who had much more protection, was able to throw for 129 yards and a touchdown. Sanders, on the other hand, found himself running for his life, often getting sacked or pressured into poor decisions.

This discrepancy raised a red flag. Was this the Browns’ way of setting Sanders up to fail? Did they want to prove that he wasn’t worthy of the hype surrounding his name?

Questions Around the Browns’ Quarterback Decision-Making

The situation got even murkier when Sanders was not given the opportunity to run the critical two-minute drill. Former NFL quarterback Derek Carr added fuel to the fire, questioning why Sanders, a rookie quarterback with significant upside, wasn’t entrusted with such a pivotal moment in the game. The timing of Huntley’s release only made things more baffling. If the Browns didn’t believe in Huntley enough to keep him on the roster, why was he given the most important drive of the contest?

Social media exploded with confusion and anger, with many Browns fans feeling betrayed by the organization’s handling of Sanders. The hashtags and posts demanding answers from Stefanski grew louder with each passing day. What was supposed to be a promising debut for Sanders had quickly turned into a media circus, with conspiracy theories running rampant.

Sanders’ Draft Slide: Could It Be a Factor?

Adding fuel to the fire was Sanders’ draft history. Despite a stellar college career, Sanders inexplicably dropped from a potential first-round pick to the fifth round of the NFL Draft. Reports suggested that teams had concerns about Sanders’ attitude, his lack of coachability, and his tendency to rub coaches the wrong way during pre-draft interviews. These questions raised the possibility that the Browns had no real intention of developing Sanders as a future starter. Instead, they may have viewed him as a late-round flyer, someone they could take a chance on without expecting immediate results.

This background information added another layer to the growing controversy. Was Sanders being treated unfairly because of his perceived arrogance? Was the Browns’ decision to draft him part of a larger strategy to avoid controversy—picking up a quarterback in the fifth round that they wouldn’t have to develop right away?

The Other Side: Did Sanders Have a Role in His Struggles?

As the media firestorm raged on, some analysts began to present a different perspective. They suggested that Sanders’ struggles weren’t entirely the result of sabotage or bad coaching; they were simply a product of his inexperience and the challenges of transitioning to the NFL. Analysts like Todd McShay and Colin Cowherd had pointed out that Sanders’ draft slide was indicative of his own issues with processing speed and pocket awareness. Was it possible that Sanders wasn’t as ready as the hype around him suggested?

Browns general manager Andrew Barry provided some context that challenged the narrative of deliberate sabotage. Barry explained that the decision to keep four quarterbacks on the roster was not an indictment of Sanders’ abilities but rather a reflection of the team’s commitment to developing all its young quarterbacks. He emphasized that Sanders had shown resilience and mental toughness, two qualities the organization valued as part of his growth.

Still, the numbers told a compelling story. Sanders’ time to throw was one of the highest in the preseason, and his sack rate was similarly concerning. Yet, much of this could be attributed to the poor offensive line protection he received during his appearances. To compound matters, Sanders’ lack of repetitions with the first-team offense made it harder for him to develop a rhythm and showcase his abilities.

A Matter of Trust and Opportunity

The controversy surrounding Sanders may ultimately come down to a matter of opportunity. Rookie quarterbacks need time and reps to adjust to the NFL, and while the Browns’ decision to keep Sanders on the active roster might seem like a sign of faith, it also underscored the organization’s approach to evaluating talent. Instead of rushing Sanders into a starting role, the Browns appear to be taking a long-term approach to his development—one that might not align with the immediate expectations placed on him.

Shannon Sharpe and other NFL experts have criticized this stance, suggesting that Sanders deserved more chances to prove himself. But as Browns coach Stefanski pointed out, the process of developing a quarterback is complex, and Sanders’ situation is about more than just one bad game. The NFL is an unforgiving league, and whether Sanders can adjust to the speed and complexity of the game will ultimately determine his success.

Conclusion: A Complex Situation

So, what’s the truth behind the controversy surrounding Shedeur Sanders? Was he a victim of sabotage, or was his rough start simply a result of the challenges rookie quarterbacks face in the NFL? The answer is likely somewhere in between. While the Browns’ handling of Sanders certainly raises some questions about opportunity and fairness, it’s also clear that Sanders himself has areas for improvement. His success in the NFL will depend on his ability to adapt, learn, and seize the opportunities that come his way—no matter how difficult or unconventional the path may be.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Sanders and the Browns to see how this complex situation unfolds.