Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders addressed a pregame rumor involving the Baltimore Ravens following his team’s embarrassing 41-17 loss to their AFC North rival.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that the Ravens had planned to select Sanders in the fifth round of the draft, but the former Colorado standout told Baltimore not to take him. According to Schefter, Sanders made it clear he didn’t want to join a roster with Lamar Jackson and settle into a backup role.
Asked about the report after the game, Sanders dodged giving a direct yes or no answer.
“My response is I’m focused on the now,” Sanders said. “I don’t really talk about anything in the past, and whatever happened in the past, it is what it is. I’m more focused on how this game went and figuring out how to move forward from here.
“You wouldn’t even believe, my memory doesn’t go back that far. I don’t even remember anything post-draft. I just remember I’m here, I go to practice every day, and it’s a 24-hour rule. … It serves no purpose in my life.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Unlikely to Play This Season
Sanders likely felt he had a better shot at getting on the field with the Browns. However, he’s opened the year as the No. 3 quarterback, behind 40-year-old Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.
The Browns are already getting heat to make a change under center with Flacco struggling. However, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that Sanders is not expected to see the field this season.
“For all the football conspiracy theorists out there trying to decode the real reason the Cleveland Browns drafted Shedeur Sanders, here’s the truth: There is no big secret. The pick wasn’t some master plan from ownership,” Russini said. “It was GM Andrew Berry’s call, rooted in his belief that Cleveland’s coaching staff could bring out the best in Sanders and help him grow into an NFL quarterback. It will be a process, and the Browns want to keep developing him.
“Don’t plan on seeing the fifth-round pick on the field this season unless things get really weird. Cleveland believes in Joe Flacco’s experience and Dillon Gabriel’s development as the backup.”
Browns Not Expected to Make QB Change
The Browns replaced Flacco with Gabriel in the fourth quarter, with the game out of hand. Flacco had a rough afternoon, which included two turnovers — an interception and a fumble returned for a touchdown.
Gabriel completed all three of his passes for 20 yards and a touchdown to running back Dylan Sampson.
The Browns are not expected to bench Flacco despite the 0-2 start and some uninspiring performances from the offense.
“I don’t think it’s fair to talk about that right now,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said after the loss. “We win as a team, we lose as a team.
“I don’t think we did good enough. I think the collective we as a team, we as an offense, we as a coaching staff, all of us didn’t do a good enough job.”
The Browns face the 2-0 Green Bay Packers next week.
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