The Cleveland Browns' quarterback room will remain one of the biggest topics of conversation as the 2025 NFL season rolls on.
How long will Cleveland continue to start veteran Joe Flacco? When will they turn to former Oregon Duck Dillon Gabriel? Will fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders get an opportunity to showcase his skills?
One former NFL champion believes Sanders will get that shot at some point this season, which would be bad news for the Browns' current backup, Gabriel.
Asante Samuel Believes Shedeur Sanders Will Be the Browns Starter by Midseason
In a recent episode of his Say What Needs To Be Said podcast, former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel predicted that the Browns will pivot from the former Oregon standout Gabriel and go right to Sanders.
"I could see the Cleveland Browns giving Shedeur Sanders a chance by Week 8, Week 10, something like that, by my calculation," Samuel said.
"He can play quarterback right... a game manager. He [Gabriel] has so many things going against him," Samuel added. "First, his size... along with his athletic ability."
The former New England Patriot cites Gabriel's physical shortcomings as to why Cleveland would move on from Gabriel so quickly, despite the former Heisman finalist beating out Sanders in training camp to win the team's backup job.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported that the Browns are comfortable with the 40-year-old Flacco's experience and Gabriel's abilities as the backup quarterback, and that Sanders won't see the field unless "things get weird."
In Cleveland, it's entirely possible their plan could get flipped on its head due to injuries or poor play, and if things do in fact get weird, it's possible we could end up seeing the 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft sooner rather than later.