Shedeur Sanders had anything but a picture-perfect start to his NFL practice week with the Cleveland Browns. On the very first play of full-team drills, the rookie quarterback lost his footing and fell, an awkward moment in front of teammates and coaches.
But Sanders didn’t let the slip define his day. The fifth-round pick out of Colorado bounced back on the very next play, connecting with undrafted rookie receiver Gage Larvadian for a clean completion.
Later in the session, he delivered a well-placed ball to Kaden Davis for what initially looked like a touchdown, only for the score to be overturned when officials ruled Davis out of bounds.
Despite the early mishap and the missed touchdown, veteran Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot viewed Sanders‘ showing as a positive indicator of his potential.
“Still, it was an excellent throw by Sanders, and a good sign that he’s made enough progress to earn some of those coveted 11-on-11 reps in the four-way quarterback competition, even if they weren’t with and against the first-teamers,” Cabot wrote for Cleveland.com.
Earning his reps in a loaded quarterback competition
Sanders enters the 2025 season as one of four contenders vying for snaps at quarterback in Cleveland.
The Browns’ depth chart also features veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, along with third-round selection Dillon Gabriel. Sanders, picked later in the draft, is expected to face an uphill battle to carve out playing time.
As of Wednesday, Sanders had yet to receive any reps with the first-team offense. During modified 7-on-7 drills, he practiced separately on one field while the other three quarterbacks worked together on the opposite side, according to Cabot.
Still, coaches have taken note of Sanders‘ dedication and progress. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees praised the rookie’s attitude and effort since joining the team, saying Sanders has “worked his tail off” in every opportunity he’s been given.
That kind of work ethic may give Sanders a chance to rise through the ranks, especially as the Browns look to shape their quarterback future amid uncertainty surrounding Deshaun Watson‘s ongoing recovery from injury.
Though Shedeur‘s place in the quarterback hierarchy remains toward the bottom, his bounce-back during practice and willingness to learn haven’t gone unnoticed.
His development will be closely monitored throughout training camp, especially if he continues to display the poise and accuracy that made him a standout in college.
For now, Sanders‘ journey is just beginning-but signs suggest that the rookie has both the mindset and the raw ability to make his mark in Cleveland.
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