Shedeur Sanders facing fresh Cleveland Browns heartache after dropping further down quarterback order

CLEVELAND BROWNS star Shedeur Sanders has admitted he will have to “maximise” any opportunity he gets this season.

Sanders, 23, was initially seen as one of the most sought-after assets in the 2025 NFL draft.

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Cleveland Browns star Shedeur Sanders is facing an uphill battle for first-team looks this season[/caption]

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Sanders admits he knows he will have to maximize any chance he gets this season[/caption]

However, multiple teams started to take issue with Sanders’ attitude in the run up to the event, which caused him to endure a shock slide down the order.

Having been tipped to possibly be one of the first overall picks, the Browns eventually took him in the fifth round at the 144th overall pick.

Now in July, and Sanders knows he will have to really fight for his place in the team.

With Sanders vying for a spot alongside Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel – who was a third-round pick – he was the sole quarterback option who was not seen taking reps with the first-team in training camp.

Saturday was the final practice day without pads with Kevin Stefanski giving players the day off on Sunday.

Asked about his lack of reps with the first-team offense in the camp, he told reporters: “I’m not even going to think about that or have that even in my thought process of why it is.

“It doesn’t make me feel down or it doesn’t make me feel left out or anything because I know who I am as a person.

“I know who I am as an individual, and I know what I could bring to this team…

“I know whenever I get my opportunity, I’ve got to maximize it.

“I just got to think about what I could do to get better even if I’m not getting reps.”

Sanders – the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders – impressed in Saturday practice, going three for three 7 vs 7 drills.

Only time will tell whether Sanders can truly make his mark this season.

Quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave said on Friday: “I don’t know if there’ll be any earth-shattering or earth-shaking changes [in the second week of camp].

“I think it’ll be a lot more of the same.

“All four guys are really making good progress and [offensive coordinator] Tommy [Rees] and Kevin are doing a great job of getting everybody their looks.”

But ultimately, Sanders is “thankful” to even have the chance.

He said: “The external is cool. I’m thankful for it.

“But hey, when I get out there, I’m not thinking about external.

“I’m thinking about more, in the organization, thinking about getting the play calls, executing my job, and doing what I’ve got to do.”