NFL quarterback-turned-outspoken media personality Cam Newton’s latest headline-grabbing take centered on Shedeur Sanders.

The rookie quarterback is listed third on the Cleveland Browns depth chart, despite the recent benching of veteran signal-caller Joe Flacco. Dillon Gabriel was named the starter for Cleveland’s Week 5 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, and Flacco will serve as the backup.

Newton’s claim didn’t come out of nowhere. Since being selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders—the son of NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders—has been under a microscope. Despite his college pedigree and marketability, he’s been largely confined to third-string duties behind veterans Dillon Gabriel and Joe Flacco.

Newton argues that this pecking order has less to do with talent and more to do with control. “They know Shedeur draws eyes. He sells jerseys. He brings attention,” Newton continued. “That’s good for business. But letting him actually take over? That’s bad for the system they’ve built. So they keep him in check, just close enough to the spotlight to profit from it.”

According to Newton, this approach is emblematic of what he calls the “NFL marketing machine”—a system that exploits personality and popularity while suppressing true opportunity. He compared Sanders’ situation to his own early days in the league, where he felt pressure to fit a certain image rather than play freely.

“I’ve been there,” Newton said. “They love the hype until it threatens the status quo. Then they start pulling strings. It’s like they want the Shedeur Sanders brand, but not the Shedeur Sanders impact.” His remarks were met with nods of agreement from several retired players and analysts who have echoed concerns about how teams manipulate rookie narratives for financial and media leverage.

On Wednesday, Sanders was asked about the quarterback shuffle. The former Colorado standout pantomimed answers to reporters in the locker room. The move came on the heels of NFL analyst Rex Ryan’s previous criticisms of Sanders’ outspoken nature.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) and quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throw passes during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.  (Ken Blaze/Imagn Images)

Sanders’ action sparked varied reactions. Newton’s takeaway revolved around his premise that the Browns are not putting the young quarterback in a position to to succeed.

Former quarterback Robert Griffin III also weighed in, calling Cleveland’s approach “baffling” and suggesting that Sanders deserves a real shot. “Shedeur has the tools,” Griffin said during an ESPN segment. “If you draft a guy like that, you can’t treat him like an afterthought.

Either commit to developing him or let him go somewhere that will.” Newton cited Griffin’s statement in his follow-up comments, arguing that the league often prioritizes “safe” veterans over exciting prospects out of fear of disruption. “The NFL doesn’t always reward talent—it rewards predictability,” Newton said. “And Shedeur isn’t predictable. He’s dynamic, he’s confident, and that scares people.”

While Newton’s remarks have been polarizing, they’ve undeniably struck a chord with fans and pundits alike. Some applaud him for speaking truth to power, noting that the league has a long history of mishandling young quarterbacks who don’t fit conventional molds.

Others accuse him of fueling unnecessary drama and ignoring the practical realities of NFL development. Still, even skeptics admit that Newton has raised important questions about how teams balance player growth with media optics.

If Sanders’ star power is indeed being leveraged more for headlines than progress, it could reveal an uncomfortable truth about the modern NFL: that business considerations often outweigh football logic.

Adding fuel to the fire, reports have surfaced that Sanders himself is growing frustrated with his limited opportunities. While he has maintained professionalism in public, insiders have noted his visible irritation during recent practices.

One locker room incident even made headlines when Sanders reportedly responded to a question about his role with a sarcastic grin and a silent shrug—an act some interpreted as quiet defiance.

Deion Sanders, never one to stay silent when it comes to his family, has also hinted at displeasure. “My son’s gonna shine wherever he is,” Deion said during a recent press conference. “All I ask is for fairness. Let the young man compete.”

“I don’t think they want Shedeur Sanders to be successful in Cleveland,” Newton said during a recent edition of his “4th&1” podcast. “Because if you were to say, ‘I want Cleveland to have a person or a figure to have every chance to be successful,’ Shedeur has been the opposite of that.”

Cam Newton attends the BET Awards Media House on June 29, 2024, in Los Angeles, California.  (Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET)

Newton then cited Sanders’ preseason. The 23-year-old threw two touchdowns in an exhibition win over the Carolina Panthers. He sat out the Browns’ second preseason game with an injury and largely struggled in the exhibition finale against the Los Angeles Rams.

Former quarterback Robert Griffin III also weighed in, calling Cleveland’s approach “baffling” and suggesting that Sanders deserves a real shot. “Shedeur has the tools,” Griffin said during an ESPN segment. “If you draft a guy like that, you can’t treat him like an afterthought. Either commit to developing him or let him go somewhere that will.”

Newton cited Griffin’s statement in his follow-up comments, arguing that the league often prioritizes “safe” veterans over exciting prospects out of fear of disruption. “The NFL doesn’t always reward talent—it rewards predictability,” Newton said. “And Shedeur isn’t predictable. He’s dynamic, he’s confident, and that scares people.”

While Newton’s remarks have been polarizing, they’ve undeniably struck a chord with fans and pundits alike. Some applaud him for speaking truth to power, noting that the league has a long history of mishandling young quarterbacks who don’t fit conventional molds. Others accuse him of fueling unnecessary drama and ignoring the practical realities of NFL development.

Still, even skeptics admit that Newton has raised important questions about how teams balance player growth with media optics. If Sanders’ star power is indeed being leveraged more for headlines than progress, it could reveal an uncomfortable truth about the modern NFL: that business considerations often outweigh football logic.

Adding fuel to the fire, reports have surfaced that Sanders himself is growing frustrated with his limited opportunities. While he has maintained professionalism in public, insiders have noted his visible irritation during recent practices. One locker room incident even made headlines when Sanders reportedly responded to a question about his role with a sarcastic grin and a silent shrug—an act some interpreted as quiet defiance.

Deion Sanders, never one to stay silent when it comes to his family, has also hinted at displeasure. “My son’s gonna shine wherever he is,” Deion said during a recent press conference. “All I ask is for fairness. Let the young man compete.”

“When you give Shedeur an opportunity to play with viable options around him, what does he do? He performs. The next opportunity for him to perform the following week, he didn’t help his case because he had [an injury]. The following week from there, if you want to see a real clear-cut identifier if he’s capable or not, you put him with the 1s. Or you put him with the valuable 2s. Don’t put him with the trash.”

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders warms up during a practice at the team’s NFL football training camp Friday, July 25, 2025, in Berea, Ohio.  (David Richard/AP Phoeo)

Newton then floated a theory about the Browns’ motives, claiming the franchise wants to keep him on the roster for business purposes.

“This is my conspiracy theory about the Cleveland Browns. Shedeur Sanders is extremely talented and well and capable of being a player in the NFL. But I do not think a lot of teams are willing to risk what’s mounting in circus-like attention that he brings naturally,” Newton said. “So therefore the Browns are stuck with this idea, if we cut Shedeur that would be bad for business. Business being, he’s good for business on our roster.

If we cut him, he’s going to be picked up by somebody. When have we ever had a person on our roster to move the needle?… The Cleveland Browns have never had a player in modern day that pushes the needle like Shedeur Sanders.”

Cam Newton, the former NFL MVP and one of football’s most outspoken voices, has once again found himself at the center of controversy. This time, the subject of his firestorm is none other than the Cleveland Browns—and more specifically, how the team is handling rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Newton’s recent comments have sparked a fresh wave of debate across the NFL landscape, as he accused the Browns of having ulterior motives regarding their young signal-caller. According to Newton, Cleveland’s decisions are driven less by football reasons and more by business optics, leading him to claim that the team doesn’t truly want Sanders to succeed.

During a recent episode of his podcast 4th & 1, Newton delivered a searing critique of the Browns’ internal operations. “I don’t think they want Shedeur Sanders to be successful in Cleveland,” Newton said bluntly. “If they did, they’d be giving him the right opportunities, the right reps, and putting him in the best situation to grow. But instead, they’re keeping him boxed in.” His comments immediately went viral, resonating with fans who have questioned the team’s developmental strategy since drafting Sanders earlier this year. Newton, who has long championed young Black quarterbacks in a league that has often criticized them harshly, made it clear that he sees something deeper and more deliberate in the Browns’ handling of Sanders.

The Browns, for their part, have offered little in the way of public response. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has maintained that Sanders is “developing well” and “learning the system,” while team executives insist that playing time decisions are based on merit, not marketing. But critics aren’t convinced. Many fans point to the fact that Sanders has looked sharp in limited preseason appearances—displaying poise, accuracy, and leadership—yet continues to receive minimal first-team reps. To some observers, that disparity supports Newton’s suspicion that the Browns are protecting their established quarterbacks rather than letting competition decide.

For Newton, the issue isn’t just about Shedeur Sanders—it’s about what his story represents. “This is bigger than one player,” he said. “It’s about how the league treats its young talent, especially young Black quarterbacks who don’t fit the cookie-cutter mold. They get micromanaged, second-guessed, and then blamed when things don’t work out. That’s what I’m calling out.” His perspective draws from experience: Newton faced similar criticism throughout his own career, particularly during his final seasons when he struggled to find a stable home despite a history of success. His advocacy for Sanders, then, feels both personal and symbolic—a challenge to the system that he believes still marginalizes certain players.

The Browns, meanwhile, find themselves in an uncomfortable spotlight. Already facing questions about leadership and consistency, the organization must now contend with the narrative that it’s mismanaging one of the league’s most talked-about rookies. If Sanders remains benched while the team struggles offensively, pressure will only intensify. Public sentiment could quickly shift from curiosity to outrage, especially with Newton and other influential voices keeping the conversation alive. As one sports columnist put it, “Cam Newton may have just said out loud what many around the league are quietly thinking.”

Ultimately, whether Newton’s theory holds water or not, it has forced a reckoning. The Browns’ handling of Shedeur Sanders is now under national scrutiny, and every decision will be dissected for signs of bias or ulterior motive. For Sanders, the path forward remains uncertain—he must walk the fine line between patience and self-assertion. For Newton, his latest outburst may cement his role as the NFL’s most unfiltered truth-teller. And for the Browns, the challenge is clear: prove that they’re building a quarterback, not just managing a brand. Because if Newton is even partly right, Cleveland’s reputation—and Shedeur Sanders’ future—may both hang in the balance.