A member of the Cleveland Browns organization wanted the team to trade Shedeur Sanders during the preseason.
The Browns selected Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft after taking Dillon Gabriel in the third round. Sanders joined a quarterbacks room that featured Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Tyler Huntley, and the injured Deshaun Watson at the time, before Pickett was traded.
In the preseason, Sanders played well against the Carolina Panthers, going 14-of-23 for 138 yards and two touchdowns. After the game, one member of the Browns organization wanted Sanders to be traded, according to The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd.
“If the Browns could get fifth-round picks for both Kenny Pickett and Flacco, they ought to be able to recoup the fifth they spent on Sanders last spring,” Lloyd wrote. “I had one member of the organization tell me a few weeks ago that they should’ve traded him for a draft pick immediately after his preseason showing against the Carolina Panthers. We already know the Ravens and Eagles were ready to take him in the fifth round.
“Maybe the Ravens will still want him. Is it a risk trading him within the division? Of course. But at this point, it feels like a risk keeping him in the building,” Lloyd added. “Cut him. Trade him. Whatever. Let him become someone else’s daily topic of conversation. At 1-4, the Browns have enough problems. Clearly, he isn’t viewed as one of the solutions.”
Intriguingly, someone in the team has made it clear they wanted Sanders traded. The rookie quarterback has drawn plenty of media attention, and it appears someone employed by the team wanted him gone.
Sanders Sends Positive Message to Gabriel
Although Sanders has gotten plenty of media attention, he is taking being a backup quarterback in stride.
Sanders was asked about Gabriel, and he said his goal is to make sure Gabriel is ready for the game.
“We’re going to do everything we can to make sure Dillon is ready for the game,” Sanders said. “Whatever that means. Each and every day, even when Joe was the starter, I just prepare the right way and know that I could get out there at any point in time.”
Although Sanders has said previously that he believes he can start, he walked back on that on Thursday. Instead, he says his goal is to make sure Gabriel is ready to start.
“I’m overly confident in myself, and when I first got here, I felt ready to play. But it’s up to the coaches and whatever decision they make. And I’m fine with it,” Sanders said. “I feel like now I’m ready — not saying I wasn’t ready before — but now I’m ready for whenever my opportunity is.”
Browns Haven’t Named Backup QB
Following the Browns’ trade of Flacco, many expected Sanders to be the backup quarterback.
However, Cleveland could promote Bailey Zappe to the active roster. Ahead of Week 6, coach Kevin Stefanski said he hasn’t named the backup as he wants some more time.
“Still working through all roster types of things,” Stefanski said on Oct. 8. “I always have to be mindful of our players, and our players development and I want to make sure that I’m always doing what’s best for our players and, of course, our team.
“But with young players, I’m always thinking about last week, making the change to Dillon (Gabriel),” Stefanki added. “You have to think long and hard about that, because these are young players that you’re so invested in their development. So, I’ll let the week play out and make a decision later on.”
The Browns take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Member of Browns Organization Wanted Shedeur Sanders Traded in Preseason: Report appeared first on Heavy Sports.