Shedeur Sanders was officially placed as the third quarterback for the Cleveland Browns for the 2025 NFL season, following Kevin Stefanski’s decision to name Joe Flacco as the starter and Dillon Gabriel as the backup.

The news, beyond confirming the hierarchy, highlights that Sanders -a fifth-round pick out of Colorado and winner of the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award- is not undergoing the development process his supporters had hoped for.

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Sanders and practice reps

According to reports from ESPN Cleveland cited by Tony Rizzo, Sanders is receiving few or no reps during practice sessions; the responsibility for the scout team has been handed to Bailey Zappe.

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For a young quarterback, reps against the first-team defense and scouting drills are fuel: they are the opportunities to learn how to read defenses, adjust timing, and build confidence in the playbook.

Why reps matter for Sanders

Cases like Tony Romo or Tom Brady show that standing out in practice can open doors in the NFL; reps allow players to show consistency under pressure and speed up their adaptation. If those reps don’t come, progress stalls and the staff’s perception of the player can turn cold: it’s not always direct criticism that affects a rookie-often it’s the silence and lack of action that reveal he’s not part of the plans.

Keeping Sanders on the roster despite the lack of reps raises legitimate questions: is it a bet on the future, a contractual decision, or a commercial move? Tony Rizzo even pointed out the confusion surrounding his role: “Why is he here if he’s not even leading the scout team?” he said. Sometimes teams hold on to young players with potential even if, in the short term, they’re not actively part of the game plan.

Sanders is in a tough spot

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Being demoted to third quarterback puts Sanders in a difficult position. If Cleveland doesn’t give him practice reps or exposure, his development and value for future opportunities will be compromised. The Browns, starting the season 0-1, face the Ravens this Sunday, and the immediate priority seems to be stabilizing the offense with Flacco; for Sanders, the urgency is finding real reps to avoid stagnation.

In summary: the third quarterback label is more than just a number-it’s a wake-up call. For Shedeur Sanders, the question is no longer just whether he can be a starter someday, but when and under what conditions he’ll be given the chance to prove it.