Cleveland Browns' Shedeur Sanders, Kenny Pickett Odds To Win Starting Job

Will Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders win the starting quarterback job? The son of NFL legend, Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur has impressed through his first NFL offseason.

Thrust into one of the most exciting position competitions and storylines, it's been all eyes on Sanders as he competes with fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel and veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett, left, chats with quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during an NFL practice at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The ESPN Cleveland radio show broke down their odds for which quarterback will be named the starter, with Pickett being the favorite. The result?

Kenny Pickett with 3-1 odds

Joe Flacco with 5-1 odds

Dillon Gabriel with 10-1 odds

Shedeur Sanders with 50-1 odds

"I think Kenny Pickett starts week one right now. I do. I do," said reporter Tony Rizzo on the show.

The former Colorado Buffaloes star Sanders was picked as a long shot to earn the starting role but he has a chance to impress at NFL training camp in July.

Jun 12, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) listens to a play call during mini camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Sanders was once projected as a first-round draft pick but fell to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Since arriving in Cleveland, Sanders has won his teammates over with his team-first mentality and handled a wild amount of media coverage with grace.

Of course, the Sanders family is used to attention as they took the college football world by storm when Deion was hired as head coach of Colorado. The Buffaloes were a one-win team the year before the Sanders arrived but improved to a 4-8 record in 2023 and then a 9-4 record in 2024.

... News to the ears of Browns fans who would like to see a similar turn around for a franchise that won three games in 2024-25.

MORE: Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes With Toughest Schedule In College Football?

MORE: Deion Sanders Battling Health Issues, Thankful For 'Son' Visit While Away From Colorado Buffaloes

MORE: Colorado Buffaloes Flip 4-Star Cornerback Recruit As Deion Sanders Finds Momentum

Sanders put up impressive numbers during five open practices this offseason, Shedeur went 41-for-53 (77.4 percent) with nine touchdowns and one interception per ESPN Cleveland.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski addressed why Sanders was the only quarterback to not receive first team reps throughout organized team activities and minicamp.

"Like I've told you guys, let's not look too much into who's out there when. We're in installation phase, we're in teaching phase, so not much to look into," Stefanski said after minicamp practice on June 12.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) speaks with head coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at NFL minicamp, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

While there might not be much takeaway in terms of depth chart from minicamp and OTAs... training camp is a whole other story.

NFL training camp is rapidly approaching, which will be paramount for Sanders to climb the depth chart. Rookies report to Browns training camp on July 18 and veterans report on July 22. Cleveland's first practice available to fans begins on Friday, July 25.

Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws as QBs Dillon Gabriel (5) and Kenny Pickett look on during minicamp, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Berea. | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As Cleveland sorts through the depth chart of a crowded quarterbacks room, both rookies have a shot to win the starting job and potential be the Browns' long term answer at quarterback. However, from the perspective from ESPN radio, it may be more of an uphill climb for sanders.

Sanders is fresh off two excellent seasons at Colorado. Sanders finished his Buffaloes career with 50 games played in four seasons and completed 1,267-of-1,808 passes (70.1 percent) for 14,353 yards and 134 touchdowns with 27 interceptions.

Recommended Articles