CU Buffs legend Shedeur Sanders can make NFL debut against 49ers, Titans, Bears, Bills, Steelers, or Bengals

CU Buffs legend Shedeur Sanders can make NFL debut against 49ers, Titans, Bears, Bills, Steelers, or Bengals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Shedeur Sanders is still sitting on the Cleveland Browns’ bench behind Dillon Gabriel following their trade of Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals and their preseason deal of Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders.

He may even be behind Bailey Zappe on the quarterback depth chart as things stand if Kevin Stefanski had to put someone in the game in the event of a Gabriel injury.

Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot isn’t giving up hope on the “Grown QB” seeing the field for the Browns this season, though. Cabot predicted Sanders getting reps sometime in the second half of the season.

Realistically, assuming Gabriel gets around half a season to show what he can do, that can put November 30, a home game against the San Francisco 49ers, as a potential debut target for Sanders. Subsequent matchups against the Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, or AFC rival Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals could also be Sanders’ NFL unveiling.

“Sanders has been working on every aspect of his game, from throwing out of the shotgun and under center, to play-action, to his footwork and everything else to be prepared to play when his number is called. He’s also worked on RPOs, keepers, and other QB movement skills because those are a big part of the Browns offense,” Cabot wrote.

“In addition to getting some snaps with the first-team offense, Sanders is also getting extra work in after practice, and on Fridays he heads to nearby Baldwin Wallace University to throw to some of the college players in an unstructured environment.

“Myles Garrett also revealed recently that he sees Sanders working with Kevin Stefanski in his office in the early morning hours, which means he’s putting in the extra work. It’s showing up on the practice field, and the Browns are eager to see what he can do this season when the time comes. The Browns will give Dillon Gabriel a decent on-ramp, but there will probably come a time in the second half of the season where the Browns will want to see Sanders play. They’re confident he’ll be ready.”

As Cleveland evaluates its options under center with a strong QB class in 2026, Sanders eventually will be tested as well. Gabriel was the planned franchise player, but Shedeur could throw a wrench in things if given the chance.

If what he shows is more of the same from his preseason performance against the Los Angeles Rams in the team’s exhibition finale, Andrew Berry and Co. would probably be more inclined to explore drafting another QB this coming April.