Adam Schefter reveals Shedeur Sanders turned down Ravens in 2025 NFL Draft before Browns pick

In April, Shedeur Sanders suffered a shocking draft slide, ultimately falling to the Cleveland Browns with the No. 144 overall pick. However, on Sunday NFL Countdown, ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed Sanders could’ve gone earlier in the draft, but wasn’t interested in playing for the team that wanted him.

“A consensus had been headed. The Baltimore Ravens were planning to select Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round with the 141st overall selection,” Schefter said. “But, when he found out, he got word back to the Ravens that he preferred not to go to a place where he’d be competing and backing up Lamar Jackson. He wanted to be in a place that he could play.

“When the Ravens got that message, they pivoted, went a different direction with the 141st overall selection. And three picks later, the Cleveland Browns selected Shedeur Sanders, who will be in Baltimore today, where he could have been spending his NFL career if he were willing to back up Lamar Jackson.”

While Sanders went to Cleveland with hopes of receiving more playing time, he hasn’t played a regular-season snap yet for the Browns. He is the team’s third-string quarterback behind starter Joe Flacco and backup Dillon Gabriel.

Sanders impressed during his preseason debut. In a 30-10 win over the Panthers, Sanders completed 14-of-his-23 pass attempts for 138 yards and two touchdowns, without throwing an interception.

He missed the Browns’ following preseason game due to an oblique injury. When he played in the team’s final preseason contest, he wasn’t the starter and came in as the final QB in the rotation.

In fairness, Flacco looked solid in the Browns’ season-opener against the Bengals. In the narrow loss, Flacco completed 31 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown. The veteran QB threw two interceptions, but they weren’t necessarily bad passes.

Both of the picks initially hit the receivers’ hands before bouncing off and landing in the Bengals’ possession. Evidently, Sanders is not only not playing in the games, but at practice too. On Thursday, ESPN’s Tony Rizzo reported Sanders isn’t running the Browns’ scout team.

“Shedeur is not even running scout team,” Rizzo said. “He’s literally watching everyone play. Bailey Zappe is running scout team… I don’t know if that’s true but that’s what I’m hearing. Why is he on the team? Why is he here? If that’s what you think about him or if it’s because his jersey is selling, the Haslams don’t need jersey money, do they?

“Why is he on the team if he isn’t even running scout team? I’d love to ask them. Today if [Kevin] Stefanski‘s day to cop out, which I love. Somebody better ask (offensive coordinator) Tommy Rees whether or not Shedeur is running scout team or not. Because I heard he’s not.”

On Sunday, the Browns will square off against the Ravens at 1 p.m. ET. The game will air live on CBS. Sanders isn’t expected to play, barring any massive surprises.