The Cleveland Browns traded up to select Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday, but the reaction of their draft room to the selection raised some questions.
As is usually the case, ESPN showed a view of the Browns’ draft room as the Sanders selection was announced. The reaction in the room was quite muted, with coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry both seen clapping unenthusiastically over the selection.
Did they draft Shedeur or witness a public execution? pic.twitter.com/RaVjlsxj8P
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) April 26, 2025
Many felt that the reaction indicated that Berry and Stefanski were not the driving forces behind the Sanders pick. A number of social media users speculated that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was the one who ultimately pushed for the selection.
Ooof…. There were some guys in that video of the Browns draft room who were CLEARLY not on board with the Sanders pick. Wow. That was uncomfortable to watch.
— PeteV9 (@pvarr9) April 26, 2025
Lol, this was a Jimmy Haslem pick. None of those guys are happy.
— Sekrah (@sekrah) April 26, 2025
All Haslem just like the Watson deal
— •RvW (@ravenwizardd) April 26, 2025
Why does it look like Berry & Stefanski were forced to drafted Shedeur😂😂 https://t.co/owBBbz8C7D
— Kross (@Kross_420) April 26, 2025
Weirdest part about Browns taking Shedeur is why take Gabriel?
— Kirsten Tanis (@kct2020) April 26, 2025
And Berry said it was a “fit” issue why they didn’t take Shedeur yesterday.
Look at Berry. He looks miserable. Stefanski not pleased either.
I’d bet $1K this came as a directive from Haslam & wasn’t Berry’s call.… pic.twitter.com/YZxdzdGDBn
Considering the Browns took Dillon Gabriel in the third round, it is fair to wonder what forces were at play here. Cleveland now has a healthy quarterback room consisting of 40-year-old Joe Flacco, a young retread in Kenny Pickett, and two rookies in Gabriel and Sanders. It almost feels like they’re just flinging things at the wall in the hope that something sticks.
Haslam does have a history of intervening and making big moves for the Browns. He was the driving force behind the Deshaun Watson trade and subsequent contract, which rubbed a lot of fellow owners the wrong way. Haslam did recently concede that move was a failure.
There is no disputing that the reaction from those in the room was oddly muted. It would not be great for Sanders if the people who drafted him aren’t all-in on him, but he did land in a situation where there is at least a pathway to him starting.
