Robert Griffin III gives harsh take on how things are set up for Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders

Cleveland selected Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, joining a group that already includes Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. Deshaun Watson remains on the roster, of course, but he isn’t expected to be a factor in 2025 as he recovers from an Achilles injury.

By drafting two quarterbacks, the Browns are clearly trying to get the position right—especially with two first-round picks next season. However, one former Browns player believes that Sanders is set up to fail in this situation.

“Shedeur Sanders is in a situation where the NFL and the Cleveland Browns have set him up to sink or swim in Year 1,” Robert Griffin III said recently. “What I really mean by that is they set him up to fail.”

Griffin went on to note that Sanders, as a fifth-round pick, may not receive enough reps to truly compete for the job. However, head coach Kevin Stefanski has stated that every quarterback will have a chance to compete for the No. 1 spot.

“Guys that are drafted in the fifth round typically don’t make NFL rosters,” Griffin said. “And if they do, it’s because they showed their absolute talent in the preseason and all through training camp.”

Regardless of when he was drafted, Sanders will stick around only if he proves himself with his play. The Browns are in need of a quality quarterback, and if Sanders can be that player, Cleveland would be thrilled.

Following training camp, the Browns will face a difficult decision about which quarterback to move on from. Taking two quarterbacks in the draft was unexpected and will make it harder to distribute reps in practice.

That said, the Browns don’t need to give many reps to Flacco, a seasoned veteran who already knows the system. At this point in his career, he is what he is. If Sanders doesn’t succeed in Cleveland, he may have to look in the mirror and ask why.