Just like last preseason, when the Cleveland Browns grabbed headlines due to their quarterback competition, this year looks very similar. The main character remains the same, although he now has more opportunities than a year ago: Shedeur Sanders.
Last preseason, Sanders was the fourth option for the Browns, practically forgotten – which was understandable considering he arrived as a fifth-round Draft pick and not a first-rounder as he had envisioned days before the event. Ahead of him were Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie at the time, Dillon Gabriel.
Sanders remained buried on the depth chart and never had the opportunity to practice with the first team. It wasn’t until Week 11 of the NFL season that he was named starter following a concussion suffered by Dillon Gabriel. From that point on, he held onto the starting job. He showed promising flashes, but there are still more questions than answers about his future.
Shedeur Sanders will need to continue working hard.
Today, the Cleveland Browns have a new head coach: Todd Monken, who revealed that Sanders possesses special talent. “What I see in Shedeur is elite playmaking ability. It’s in him,” Monken stated. That became evident because with Sanders under center, the Browns produced explosive plays – something that was not seen in the first 10 weeks with Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel.
However, Sanders also showed weaknesses. He threw seven touchdown passes but had 10 interceptions. That is why Monken will need to work closely with him. The head coach clearly saw something in him last year when he tried to recruit him to be Lamar Jackson’s backup with the Baltimore Ravens.
Unlike last preseason, when Sanders practically had no real opportunities, the situation is different now. Although he does not have the starting job secured, he appears to be entering a legitimate competition with Deshaun Watson, who has not played since Week 7 of the 2024 season due to a double Achilles tendon injury.
We will have to wait and see, as the Browns may be operating quietly while rumors suggest they could be interested in drafting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson or signing Malik Willis in free agency. What is certain is that the Browns are looking to strengthen their quarterback room, making this a crucial challenge for Shedeur Sanders.
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