Shedeur Sanders has never lacked confidence, and No. 3 on an NFL depth chart hasn't changed that.
The Cleveland Browns’ third-string quarterback held media availability Thursday with a group of local reporters, where he spoke openly about his self-belief.
The quote making the rounds: “I’m ready to play right now.”
Shedeur Sanders on his current status in Cleveland:
“I’m ready to play right now.”❤️ pic.twitter.com/f4ncUZsVoZ
— GUCCE🦬🐦⬛ (@gucceCU) September 25, 2025
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This wasn’t actually Sanders putting down the other QBs on the Browns. Joe Flacco remains the starter, while Dillon Gabriel is the backup.
Sanders was speaking, in part, about quarterback play across the NFL as a whole.
"I know if you see the quarterback play in the league right now, I know I'm capable of doing better than that," Sanders said, via ESPN Cleveland.
Sanders is maintaining the ideal mindset for a backup, adding this thought during his interview: "If things happen, if things pan out where I play, then I'll be out there and I'll be ready to play."
There has been plenty of speculation since Sanders was drafted about what kind of role he would have as a rookie.
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The reality is that the Browns are likely to ride Flacco at least until Oct. 19, their next manageable defensive matchup, against the Miami Dolphins. Given Gabriel's depth chart placement, he would likely get the first start if Flacco were unavailable.
But when the Browns turn the reins over to a rookie, they might as well have Sanders ready to go, too.
Cleveland has two first-round picks in 2026 (their own and Jacksonville's), so the team owes it to itself to figure out what it has with the current quarterbacks on the roster. That includes Sanders, who is ready to show what he can do.
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