Travis Hunter Gets Honest About Browns Rookie Quarterback

Ejsportsmedia | Dante Williams

In a candid interview, Travis Hunter, the highly touted two-way star and 2025 NFL Draft pick, shared his thoughts on the Cleveland Browns' rookie quarterback, Shedeur Sanders. Although the Browns were unable to pair Sanders with his former college teammate, Hunter, in Cleveland, the former Colorado star remains supportive of Sanders as he navigates the challenges of entering the NFL in a crowded quarterback room. The Browns made headlines early in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham with their first-round pick, bypassing Sanders. The team continued its quarterback search by drafting Oregon's Dillon Gabriel in the third round before snagging Sanders in the fifth round. This surprising series of picks left Cleveland with a deeply competitive quarterback situation, including Gabriel, veteran Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett, along with Sanders. Hunter, who was selected second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, addressed the situation in a recent interview with WFIN. He emphasized that despite the doubts surrounding Sanders' fall in the draft, both of them would focus on their work:

“We just going to work, man. We both got our heads down, and doing what we have to do. There’s a lot of doubters out there for him, and he’s going to go to work” (Hunter).

This statement showcases Hunter’s unwavering belief in Sanders’ ability to prove his worth, even after the quarterback's surprising slide down the draft board. In comparison to Hunter, Sanders’ position with Cleveland is less certain. While Hunter is expected to be a dynamic force in Jacksonville with his unique versatility, Sanders faces a more crowded and competitive quarterback room in Cleveland, where he will have to compete for playing time.

Despite these challenges, Sanders’ college performance remains impressive. As the leader in completion percentage (74.0%), passing yards (4,137), and touchdowns (37) in his senior season, Sanders made a strong case for his NFL readiness, earning Heisman votes along the way. His solid senior performance raised expectations for his future, and many still consider him one of the most talented passers on Cleveland’s roster. For Cleveland, the decision to delay Sanders’ potential development by selecting other positions early on in the draft is a gamble. With Gabriel, Flacco, and Pickett already on the roster, Sanders will need to prove he has the skills and mindset to challenge for a starting role. Still, the Browns' commitment to developing Sanders over time could pay dividends if he can overcome the obstacles that come with such a deep competition.

The futures of both Hunter and Sanders are intertwined, despite their diverging draft experiences. While Hunter’s path appears more certain with the Jaguars, Sanders will need to rise above the doubts surrounding his draft position and show why he deserved to be considered a first-round talent. As Hunter wisely pointed out, it’s all about the work — and both players are ready to prove their doubters wrong.