Shedeur Sanders is the most famous third-string quarterback ever. Drafted in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns, Sanders has spent the first five games backing up Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel. Cleveland is 1-4 during that stretch.
Last week, Sanders went viral for refusing to say a single word about the Browns’ quarterback depth chart. It’s clear that Cleveland is in no rush to give Sanders a chance to prove himself in an actual game, and fans of other teams are clamoring for a trade.
The Las Vegas Raiders have also gone 1-4 to start the season and seem poised to be cellar-dwellers in the AFC West for the next several seasons. In a desperate bid to add some life to the struggling team, one of their most famous fans demanded that Sanders be sent to Vegas.
GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 07: Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game at Huntington Bank Field on September 07, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Damian Lillard Calls for Sanders to Be Traded
Damian Lillard grew up in Oakland, where Raiders fandom was obligatory. He has spent all 13 of his NBA seasons in cities without an NFL franchise, so he has remained loyal to the Raiders.
This season, Las Vegas has suffered lackluster play from Geno Smith, who is leading the NFL with nine interceptions. Backing him up is Kenny Pickett. Neither Smith nor Pickett is exactly a long-term solution.
The Raiders seem poised to pick a high-level QB in the 2026 NFL Draft, but until then, they still have 12 games to play. The season is effectively over, so why not call up the Browns and see if Sanders is available, at least to appease their fans?
“Time to gone ahead and trade for Shedeur man smfh,” posted Lillard on October 5, after Las Vegas lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 40-6. Smith threw two interceptions and failed to score.
“It’s time to get Shedeur on the team and get ready for the future,” he added.
Cleveland, like Las Vegas, likely wouldn’t see Sanders as a long-term starter, although a change of scenery would at least give him a chance to get snaps in.
GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 23: Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball during the third quarter of an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Huntington Bank Field on August 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Raiders Had Their Chances At Shedeur Sanders
If the Raiders wanted Sanders, they could have had him. The same goes for every other team in the NFL. Las Vegas drafted seven offensive players, although it skipped Sanders several times. Head coach Pete Carroll may have had a say in that.
“My guess is that Pete doesn’t want to do Geno (Smith) the way Atlanta did (Kirk) Cousins,” an unnamed executive told The Athletic in May about the Raiders passing on Sanders. “Atlanta was able to do that to Cousins because they didn’t have a previous relationship. For Pete, let’s face it: How long is he going to coach that team? Does he really want to start his last chance by alienating the quarterback he just got?”
At this point, alienating Smith is not a concern. He has been disappointing after three productive seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, and moving on from him is very much on the table.
Lillard might not get what he wants. Las Vegas drafted quarterbacks Tommy Mellott and Cam Miller after Sanders came off the board. Carroll enjoys being a commanding presence, and adding Sanders would only be a distraction.
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