Shedeur Sanders Rejects Ravens Backup Role, Joins Browns as QB3

Shedeur Sanders, a rookie quarterback drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round, rejected an earlier opportunity to be selected by the Baltimore Ravens, who intended to draft him as a backup to Lamar Jackson. Sanders reportedly declined the Ravens' offer because he did not want to be a backup behind Jackson, a two-time MVP firmly entrenched as the starter, which led to criticism from NFL fans accusing him of ego and shortsightedness. However, some analysts and fans defended Sanders' decision as a strategic move to pursue a clearer path to playing time, despite his current third-string status with the Browns behind Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel. Sanders' draft stock fell significantly from early projections, with teams perceiving him as less highly graded than initially expected. Although the Browns have a less stable quarterback situation compared to the Ravens, Sanders’ choice reflects his preference to avoid being stuck behind an established franchise quarterback, even if it means starting lower on the depth chart. The controversy underscores the challenges rookies face balancing development opportunities against immediate playing prospects.