Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is one of the most polarizing figures in sports, which is unheard of for a fifth-round pick.

Of course, Sanders also isn't your prototypical fifth-rounder. Most expected him to be a first-round selection back in April, but he slid all the way to Day 3 of the NFL Draft, where the Browns traded up to acquire him, two rounds after taking fellow signal-caller Dillon Gabriel.

Gabriel is currently starting for Cleveland with Sanders serving in the backup role, and throughout the process, many have questioned Sanders' maturity level.

However, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam shut down any negative narratives surrounding Sanders this week, telling Dianna Russini of The Athletic that the 23-year-old has been a model citizen.

“Listen, he’s a serious football player, and inside the building, there’s no noise,” Haslam said. “He comes to work every day just like everybody else, and he’s trying to get better as a football player.”

Joe Flacco actually began the season as Cleveland's starting quarterback, but was benched in favor of Gabriel heading into Week 5. The Browns then traded Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Gabriel has looked mostly unimpressive over his first three starts, although the monsoon-like condition certainly played a significant role last week against the Miami Dolphins.

That being said, many are wondering when Sanders will get his chance this season, or if he will get one. Chances are, Cleveland will throw the University of Colorado product out on to the field at some point just to see what it was in the youngster.

Remember: the Browns own a pair of first-round picks heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, so they might actually take a quarterback again next spring. It's entirely possible — if not somewhat likely — that Cleveland's franchise quarterback isn't even currently on its roster.

Even with that, it's important for the Browns to conduct due diligence to see if either Gabriel or Sanders has what it takes to guide the team long term. Of course, in order do gauge that, they'll actually need to see Sanders play in live game action first.

Cleveland will face the New England Patriots on Sunday.