Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Gets Rough Update on Early Outlook

Shedeur Sanders faces an uphill battle in his bid to become the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback to open the season.

Despite being the most high-profile name in the Browns’ quarterback room, Sanders is expected to enter training camp at the bottom of the depth chart. The Browns are working through a four-man competition that also includes veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, as well as fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.

Sanders did not receive any first-team reps during OTAs or minicamp, unlike the other three quarterbacks, signaling how far he’ll have to climb. The former Colorado standout, once projected as a potential first-round pick, slid to the fifth round, where the Browns scooped him up with the No. 144 overall pick.

To rise in the pecking order, Sanders will need to put together a standout performance during training camp and the preseason. However, The Athletic’s Zac Jackson believes it’s unlikely Sanders will be in the mix to start when Week 1 rolls around.

“The four-man quarterback competition gets the headlines — and will get the scrutiny once it really gets going in late July,” Jackson said. “Could fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders win the job by September? Probably not given that Sanders is the only one of the four to take no first-team reps in the spring, but we’ll see.”

Browns Have to Evaluate Rookies in a Hurry

The Browns used two of their draft picks on quarterbacks this year, selecting Gabriel in the third round and Sanders in the fifth. It wasn’t part of the original plan, especially with veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett already on the roster. But general manager Andrew Berry couldn’t pass up the value Sanders presented.

“We felt like it got to a point where he was probably mispriced relative to the draft,” Berry said. “Really, the acquisition cost was pretty light, and it’s a guy that we think can outproduce his draft slot.”

Now, Cleveland faces the challenge of evaluating both rookie quarterbacks with limited reps. With two first-round picks in next year’s draft, they need to see what they’ve got in Gabriel and Sanders.

“Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are only signed through 2025, and we saw the Browns create extra competitive reps for both Sanders and third-rounder Dillon Gabriel in nearly every spring practice. When does the order really start to matter?” Jackson said. “Could the Browns really keep all four? Will there be a pre-deadline for the team to focus only on the future? Truly, there are numerous ways this can go.”

Shedeur Sanders Not Worried About Lack of Reps

Sanders has had a limited workload so far with the Browns, but he’s staying patient and focused. The rookie quarterback is focusing on growth rather than his current spot on the depth chart.

“My goal is to be the best teammate and to be as polished as I can be in every aspect,” Sanders said. “I view things as I got time. I got time to be able to grow and mature and be able to understand the ins and outs of the defenses and be able to get the good insight from the vets in the room.

“So, I look at it as a plus. I got time to actually be able to really have a great understanding and whenever it’s time for me to play, then it’s time for me to play. But I’m not looking too far in the future about all that. I’m looking [at] every day in practice. … I’m focused on the small things and over time the big things will happen.”

The Browns will open training camp in late July. The rookies report on July 18 and will be joined by the veterans on July 22.