The Cleveland Browns selected Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL draft after he spurned the Baltimore Ravens. But the rookie quarterback won’t get his first NFL start this Sunday.
Dillon Gabriel gets the nod when the Browns face the Minnesota Vikings in London. The team benched starter Joe Flacco after a 1-3 start that wasted the NFL’s top-ranked defense.
Sanders rejected Baltimore’s offer to find a better opportunity to start immediately.
That decision looks worse now. Lamar Jackson could miss several weeks with a hamstring injury, meaning Sanders might’ve competed with journeyman Cooper Rush for the backup spot in Baltimore.
Instead, he’s watching from Cleveland’s sideline.
New Senate Bill Could Change Everything
Democratic senators introduced the Student Athlete Fairness and Enforcement (SAFE) Act on Monday. The bill responds to the Republican House’s Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act.
USA Today’s Matthew Glenesk highlighted the bill’s most interesting proposal for drafted players.
“Got drafted by the Browns and don’t want to move to Cleveland? Section 202 of the bill says an athlete can get drafted and go back to college as long as they don’t receive compensation from the pro league and declare their intention to return to school no later than seven days after the draft.”
Players would have seven days after the draft to return to college. They can’t receive any compensation from professional leagues during that window.
Sanders won’t get that chance. The bill hasn’t passed or even reached a vote.
Republicans currently control the House, Senate, Supreme Court, and White House after November’s elections.
Nobody knows what NIL legislation will actually become law.
Deion Sanders might have persistent thoughts about what could’ve been. Colorado’s coach has dealt with quarterback issues all season and called out Kaidon Salter after CU’s 24-21 loss to BYU on Saturday.
If the SAFE Act passes, future draft picks could avoid Shedeur’s situation entirely.
