Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) watches quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during day two of NFL rookie minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Between Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco, former first-rounder Kenny Pickett, a recovering Deshaun Watson, and two talented rookies, Cleveland’s quarterback depth chart reads more like a puzzle than a plan.

But amid that uncertainty, Colorado Buffaloes' former quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Oregon's Dillon Gabriel, both rookies selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, are steadily working to climb the pecking order.

Gabriel, known for his consistency and off-script playmaking ability, adds not only depth but versatility to the group.

Yet, early reports suggest he’s wasting no time in proving that narrative wrong.

Despite a draft-day slide that had critics questioning his NFL readiness, Sanders is already earning the one thing that matters most inside an NFL facility: trust.

Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski watches quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) participate in drills during day two of NFL rookie minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility May 10, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Last week, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he likes "everything there is about Shedeur Sanders,” pointing to his consistent work ethic since arriving in Berea.

He doubled down on that sentiment during Monday’s Cleveland Browns Foundation golf outing.

“Yeah, those guys are doing great,” Stefanski said, referring to the rookie quarterbacks. “They are both wired to get in early, stay late, put in whatever work is required. They’re sponges in the meeting room—which I think is really fun from my vantage point.”

Stefanski also highlighted the value of the veteran presence surrounding them.

“There’s Joe, 40 years old, won a Super Bowl. There’s Kenny Pickett going into year four, a first-round pick, and there’s Deshaun, who’s had a ton of success in his career. They can kind of feed off all those guys—It’s fun for me to watch them get better sometimes just by listening.”

That environment—seasoned veterans with deep résumés paired with young quarterbacks eager to absorb everything—is proving to be a perfect fit for Sanders.

In a recent clip from Sanders’ livestream, posted to X by @dalvinthetruth, he talked candidly about what it means to be a rookie and earn respect in the locker room.

“If Flacco told me to do this every day…I would do it,” Sanders said, referring to organizing Flacco’s locker if asked. “I go to him every day and say, ‘Hey, bruh. You good? You need anything?’ Because it’s respect, you feel me?”

What’s becoming clearer with each passing day is that Sanders understands what it takes to earn your stripes in the NFL—especially as a rookie quarterback.

But his next test is fast approaching.

May 10, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski watches quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

With the second round of OTAs underway this week and media scheduled to attend Wednesday’s session, we’re likely to get a closer look at how Sanders is progressing on the field.

In a quarterback room packed with veteran presence, Shedeur Sanders will need to be nearly flawless to earn serious consideration for Week 1.

But so far, he’s checking every box—and climbing steadily in a crowded race.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/colorado as Shedeur Sanders Climbing Ladder in Cleveland Browns' Crowded Quarterback Room.