Shedeur Sanders' wild 2025 began with draft fall, but it's ending with hope after tumultuous turns

The twelvemonth 2025 was ever going to beryllium a large 1 for Shedeur Sanders — undoubtedly the astir important of his life. But determination is nary mode he, oregon anyone speechmaking this, could person predicted what has happened.

On Jan. 1, 2025, Sanders was considered the 1B to Cam Ward’s 1A successful the upcoming NFL Draft, with wide speculation that helium would apt not get past the New York Giants astatine No. 3. In the worst-case scenario, helium would practically circular retired the apical 10, arsenic the New Orleans Saints, caller disconnected Derek Carr’s retirement, picked ninth.

But circular 1 came and went without Sanders' sanction being called, arsenic did rounds 2 done four, each portion Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel each heard their names. Sanders yet got a telephone successful the 5th round, going to the Cleveland Browns with the 144th pick.

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Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns reacts aft a touchdown during the 1st fractional of an NFL preseason crippled against the Carolina Panthers astatine Bank of America Stadium connected Aug. 8, 2025 successful Charlotte, North Carolina.  (David Jensen/Getty Images)

After the draft, the smear run appeared to beryllium connected — though 2 speeding tickets astir apt did not assistance his case. For starters, an adjunct coach's lad prank-called him pretending to beryllium different team's executive.

One manager said Sanders' ceremonial interrogation was "the worst," adding the backmost was "entitled." But the biggest happening is, he's not that good," that manager said. Other reports said Sanders appeared disinterested successful immoderate meetings, notably with the Giants.

CBS' Ross Tucker besides mentioned however Sanders skipped a media work earlier a cardinal assemblage game.

If anyone was beside Sanders from time one, it was President Donald Trump. Trump called NFL owners "stupid" aft Sanders was not picked successful the archetypal round. After helium earned a triumph successful his archetypal start, Trump gave them an "I TOLD YOU SO."

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Cleveland Browns backmost Shedeur Sanders (12) looks connected against the Philadelphia Eagles during the crippled astatine Lincoln Financial Field connected Aug. 16, 2025. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)

Entering grooming camp, Sanders was the team's third-string quarterback, down Joe Flacco and Gabriel — and that was lone due to the fact that Deshaun Watson is rehabbing an Achilles wounded and they traded Kenny Pickett soon aft the draft.

Flacco was traded midseason, moving Sanders to the backup role. After Gabriel suffered a concussion successful his 2nd start, Sanders took over. Quite virtually arsenic that happened, 3 masked burglars broke into Shedeur's location and stole $200,000 worthy of goods.

In his archetypal start, Sanders earned a victory, prompting the Browns to instrumentality with their fifth-round quarterback. Since then, it has been a whirlwind, and it doesn't look similar the tempest is ending immoderate clip soon. Entering Week 17, Sanders is 1-4 with 1,103 passing yards, six touchdowns and 8 interceptions connected a 55.1 completion percentage.

Cleveland Browns backmost Shedeur Sanders (12) throws a walk successful the 2nd fractional of an NFL shot crippled against the Baltimore Ravens successful Cleveland, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/David Richard)

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Cleveland volition person different aboriginal pick, and they besides ain the Jacksonville Jaguars' first-rounder this year, truthful determination are a batch of options connected the table.

But Sanders has remained assured that helium is "the one" Browns fans "have been looking for." In 2026, the reply volition beryllium much wide 1 mode oregon another.

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