Shedeur Sanders had a rough outing at Cleveland Browns training camp on Wednesday, coinciding with the team’s announcement of its penciled-in plan to name a starting quarterback.
Sanders continued to work with the backup units during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, just as he did during OTAs and minicamp. But unlike previous practices, there was no viral stat line lighting up social media.
The rookie completed just 3 of 8 passes in team drills, and several reporters in attendance noted that he held onto the ball too long, a concern that followed him from Colorado into the NFL Draft process.
However, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com emphasized that a fair evaluation of Sanders will come when he gets opportunities with first-team personnel.
“It will be easier to evaluate Sanders when he earns some reps with some first- and second-teamers,” Cabot said. “He was fourth on the depth chart at the start of camp, like he was at the end of minicamp, but can seize the moment with his trademark accuracy.”
Browns Want to Make QB Decision Sooner Than Later
Sanders is competing with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel for the starting job. The Browns have yet to give any hint on which direction they’re leaning but do want to make a decision “sooner than later.”
“I have a plan that’s in pencil, and we have to take in information every single day, take in how guys are handling certain situations, and then adjust from there,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday. “I think the big thing for me is putting our guys in position where we can evaluate them. I think they did a great job in the spring, all four of those guys. We’ll continue to put them in some situations, but ultimately, we’d love to make a decision sooner than later.”
Stefanski said the team plans to reassess the quarterback competition after the first four days of training camp. He emphasized that, for now, the order of reps in drills is not indicative of the depth chart.
“I know it will get reported on who’s in there first,” he said. “And it may change. It will change tomorrow. So, I caution you to read too much into it until we get much later on in the process.”
It inevitably was. When 11-on-11 drills rolled around, the 40-year-old Flacco took some time off. Pickett was first, followed by Gabriel and then Sanders.
“Ultimately, we want to make the best decision for the football team, but we also want to gather information so that I can make that decision,” Stefanski said.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Embracing Challenge
Sanders understands he faces an uphill battle to get playing time after sliding to the fifth round. However, in a video posted to social media, he stated that he’s embracing the challenge.
“You know, no excuses. I’ll put in the work and do what I have to do. Bout to be time to be legendary, whenever that time is,” Sanders said in the video. “You know, mentally, at the very beginning, it’ll be a challenge. But I like the challenge now.”
Sanders and the Browns will be in camp for a few weeks, preparing for their first preseason game on Aug. 8 against the Carolina Panthers.
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