"I'm ready to play right now": Shedeur Sanders makes feelings known on Browns playing opportunity amid Joe Flacco's struggles

Many believed Shedeur Sanders would be a day-one starting quarterback ahead of the NFL draft. Things changed when the Cleveland Browns drafted him in the fifth round. The Browns had opted for Oregon's Dillon Gabriel two rounds prior as well.

In an interview with ESPN Cleveland posted on YouTube earlier today, Sanders was asked if he feels close to getting a chance to play.

Sanders said:

"I don't think playing or not playing is in my hands. I think based on the situation things happen. If things turn out where I play, then I'll be out there and I'll be ready to play. I'm ready to play right now."

Like any NFL quarterback would answer, Sanders is ready to play if his name is called. However, a lot would have to happen for Sanders to be thrown into play.

Sanders entered the season as the third-string quarterback on Cleveland's depth chart. Gabriel is ahead of him and saw playing time in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens, completing 3-of-3 for 19 yards and a passing touchdown.

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Can the Cleveland Browns make a playoff run with their current quarterback room?

Cleveland Browns Mandatory Minicamp - Source: Getty

Through the first two weeks of the season, the Cleveland Browns are 1-2. After losing back-to-back divisional games, they upset the Green Bay Packers 13-10 on a game-winning field goal last week. Cleveland will face two more NFC North opponents in the next two games, facing the Detroit Lions and then the Minnesota Vikings.

In three games this season, Cleveland has scored just 46 points, or a little over 15 points per game. Joe Flacco has completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 631 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.

While Flacco led the team on an improbable playoff run in 2023, he doesn't seem to have that mojo early on this season. If he doesn't play well soon, he could be the next quarterback this season to get benched.

With Dillon Gabriel listed as a QB2, he would be the one who gets the call next. Though Shedeur Sanders would be the next name after him, he seems worlds away from his first professional snap.