Shedeur Sanders Turns Down Ravens, Drafted by Browns

Baltimore, MD — Shedeur Sanders, former quarterback from Colorado, made headlines by turning down an opportunity to join the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens wanted to select Sanders with the No. 141 pick in the recent NFL Draft, but he apparently communicated that he was not interested in being a backup to Lamar Jackson, who is just 28 years old and a two-time MVP.

Reportedly, Sanders was looking for a chance to compete for a starting position right away. Instead of joining the Ravens, the Cleveland Browns drafted him with the No. 144 pick. Now, he finds himself behind veteran Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel on the depth chart.

In his preseason debut, Sanders showed promise but faced setbacks due to injury. He struggled in the Browns’ preseason finale, which ultimately led to him being named inactive as the emergency third quarterback in Week 1.

This week, as the Browns prepare to face the Ravens in Baltimore for a Week 2 divisional matchup, Sanders will not be on the playing roster as he reflects on his decision. The Ravens, known for their competitive organization and playoff runs, shifted their focus to drafting offensive lineman Carson Vinson instead once Sanders made his preferences clear.

Turning down a chance to play for a top team like the Ravens is unusual in the league, making Sanders’ choice noteworthy. With the Browns, Sanders is still seeking the competitive environment he yearned for, despite the initial hurdles he has encountered.