As the season opens with Joe Flacco under center, a celebrated former NFL star projects Shedeur Sanders may seize the Browns’ starting job

The Cleveland Browns are navigating a tense quarterback dynamic heading into their 2025 season. Atop the depth chart sits veteran Joe Flacco, followed by rookie Dillon Gabriel-with fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders shelved behind both.

Yet optimism surrounding Sanders refuses to fade. A two-time Super Bowl winner recently offered a bold projection: Sanders could be commanding the Browns’ offense as soon as Week 8.

Shedeur Sanders and the Browns fall to the Bengals with a ridiculous interception

On his ‘Say What Needs To Be Said’ podcast, ex-Patriots, Eagles, and Falcons standout Asante Samuel weighed in behind the mic. In addition to backing Sanders, Samuel threw cold water on Gabriel’s chances of beating him to the punch.

“I could see the Cleveland Browns giving Shedeur Sanders a chance by Week 8, Week 10, something like that, by my calculation,” he said.

NFL Betting Insights: Lions vs. Packers Preview

“He can play quarterback right… a game manager.”

Samuel argues that Gabriel lacks the mobility and physical toolkit necessary to thrive-advantages Sanders brings from his college pedigree and dynamic play style.

“He [Gabriel] has so many things going against him,” Samuel added. “First, his size… along with his athletic ability.”

Slow start, high expectations

Shedeur Sanders’ road to Cleveland hasn’t been smooth. Though once pegged as a first-round prospect, he slid all the way to the fifth round (144th overall), where the Browns finally selected him after passing multiple times.

Sanders nevertheless celebrated with gratitude: “Thank you GOD,” he wrote following the pick.

He enters a crowded quarterback room, already behind flanked veterans and fellow rookie Gabriel. The depth chart confirms his current standing: No. 3 behind Flacco and Gabriel, per head coach Kevin Stefanski.

“Joe’s done a nice job… he’s gotten all of the work since then. I think 2023 was a very different situation in terms of when he got to the team,” Stefanski said.

Despite this, Sanders earned a start in Cleveland’s preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers, as injuries sidelined other quarterbacks.

Celebrity support followed by patience

Among the broader NFL audience, there’s keen interest in whether Sanders’ ceiling may outpace Flacco’s experience and Gabriel’s developmental edge. Star names such as Jake Paul have even backed him to climb the quarterback chart in Cleveland.

While Week 1 will belong to Flacco, the narrative surrounding Sanders remains far from settled. Samuel’s projection of a midseason opportunity underscores the cyclical nature of NFL quarterback turnover-and emphasizes readiness as a function of both skill and timing.

MÁS EN MARCA

El marido de Kristin Cabot, la mujer la Kiss Cam de Coldplay, asegura que el divorcio estaba pactado antes del concierto: “Separación amistosa”MARCA

Dr. Manuel Viso: “Aunque lo veas en Instagram o TikTok, el caldo de huesos, aunque rico en colágeno, no es el elixir de la eterna juventud”Telva

Sanders’ path ahead will hinge on how quickly he can command the playbook, showcase versatility, and win the trust of teammates and coaching staff.

For fans and analysts alike, his journey is a worth-watching subplot in what promises to be an intriguing Browns season.