Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is going to get a taste of his first in-game action at the NFL level on Friday as he'll be the starter for the team's preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers.
Between Dillon Gabriel, Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, the Colorado Buffaloes product will be the only one participating, giving him a great opportunity to set himself apart amid an intense race to be the Week 1 starter.
However, Sanders is still facing an uphill climb and is considered someone the Browns could move on from by the start of the regular season, with their first unofficial depth chart listing him as the fourth-string quarterback.
Nick Wright Urges NFC Team to Trade For Sanders
Instead of potentially outright releasing Sanders to comply with Aug. 27 roster cuts, analyst Nick Wright urges them to move him via a trade with the Los Angeles Rams.
"If I'm Shedeur, I am hoping beyond hope I get three quarters, that I look decent, and the Los Angeles Rams call the Cleveland Browns so I can be their third-string quarterback... And for the Rams, it gives you a chance to maybe have an answer at quarterback, even if it's a longshot after this year, if this does end up being Stafford's last year," Wright said.
There'd be no real opportunity for Sanders to fight for a starting role in Los Angeles, with head coach Sean McVay confirming that Stafford, a two-time Pro Bowler, will be back to practice next week after an injury scare involving an aggravated disc.
Sanders Could Challenge Bennett
Even competing to be the next man up could be challenging with that role already being filled by Garoppolo, but as Wright mentioned, being the third stringer and replacing Bennett, whom the team took with a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is a possibility.
Bennett's only numbers as of now come in the preseason, with none being all too impressive, completing 77-of-131 passes for 784 yards, three touchdowns and eight interceptions in five matchups.
When combining those poor stats and him already being 27 years old compared to Sanders at 23 years old, a move like this would give the Rams more youth and upside.
As alluded to by Wright, it also gives the chance to potentially develop Sanders into a capable starter with Stafford's contract expiring after the 2026 season.
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