Browns fans, it’s official: Shedeur Sanders is locked in with the Cleveland Browns, signing a four-year, $4.6 million deal that brings the former Colorado Buffaloes star to the NFL. The fifth-round pick (No. 144 overall) might’ve slipped further than some expected, but the Browns are hyped, dropping a slick “Perfect Timing” post on social media—a nod to Sanders’ 2024 rap song that’s racked up over a million views. With a $447,380 signing bonus in his pocket, Sanders is ready to make some noise in Cleveland, and the quarterback competition is already heating up.
Let’s rewind a bit. Sanders was a projected top-tier talent, with some mocks pegging him as high as No. 2 overall, where he could’ve been looking at a $46.571 million deal. Instead, he fell to the fifth round, but don’t sleep on this kid. The guy’s got swagger, arm talent, and a knack for making plays under pressure—skills he honed at Colorado, where he lit up defenses and became a household name. Now, he’s in Cleveland, battling for the starting gig, and the early buzz from rookie minicamp is that he’s turning heads.
The quarterback room in Cleveland is a straight-up cage match. Sanders is squaring off against former Oregon Ducks star Dillon Gabriel, a third-round pick, and others vying for the keys to the Browns’ offense. Minicamp reports are like a tale of two quarterbacks. Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot called it a tight race, giving Gabriel a slight edge for his pre-snap command but praising Sanders for looking smooth after the snap. “He didn’t beat out Gabriel hands-down like some have reported—it was much closer to a tie—but he looked very good and more than held his own,” she noted. Meanwhile, beat writer Zac Jackson didn’t mince words: “In just throwing the ball, it’s not close—[it’s] Shedeur Sanders.” Sounds like Sanders’ arm is popping off the tape, but the jury’s still out on who’ll be under center come Week 1.
This competition’s got all the makings of a summer blockbuster. Sanders brings that big-play charisma—think pinpoint deep balls and cool-headed pocket presence. Gabriel, though, is no slouch, grinding away with the kind of workmanlike approach that coaches love. Both guys are getting after it, and the Browns’ staff has a tough call ahead. For Sanders, it’s about proving the draft slide was a fluke. You can bet he’s got a chip on his shoulder, ready to show Cleveland—and the league—why he was once a top-of-the-board name.
Browns fans, this is the kind of storyline that gets you fired up for training camp. Picture Sanders slinging lasers in the Dawg Pound, maybe even dropping a “Perfect Timing” celebration after a touchdown strike. The kid’s got the talent, the personality, and now the contract. Whether he beats out Gabriel or not, Sanders is here to compete, and that’s exactly what Cleveland needs. Keep your eyes on this quarterback battle—it’s gonna be one heck of a ride.
