The Cleveland Browns find themselves at a crossroads as mandatory minicamp concludes and Shedeur Sanders continues to gain momentum, with some in the media and fan base are calling for clarity on the youngster’s role.,
Kevin Stefanski has remained quiet on the matter, somewhat controversially, as the 23-year-old’s performances make him impossible to ignore at the Huntington Bank Field.
The son of the Pro Football Hall of Famer and the Colorado Buffaloes’ head coach, Deion Sanders, has made a strong impression during team activities – particularly for his displayed poise, accuracy, and confidence.
Despite being picked 144th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, he is raising questions about how soon he might be ready to compete for a starting role in Cleveland’s fluid quarterback situation.
“I was told Kevin Stefanski‘s plan for his four quarterbacks in OTAs and minicamp was to try to get a lot of different guys different touches in different situations,” Jeremy Fowler told ESPN’s SportsCenter. “And they all really answered the bell, including Sanders.
“He showed the ability to put the ball in some tight windows. He threw with aggressiveness, took some chances. So they like where he sits.
“Now Stefanski has to formulate a plan in training camp that’s probably a little more crystallized, maybe has a little bit of a depth chart to it. They are not there yet, but Sanders has made an impression, no doubt.”
Browns poised to back experience over potential
While Stefanski has maintained an experimental approach throughout OTAs and minicamp, giving reps to Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Kenny Pickett, and Joe Flacco, the lack of clarity is now being challenged by analysts.
With the 2025/26 NFL season starting to appear on the horizon, it’s still no clearer than draft day as to which one of the quartet will be stepping into the starter role in the wake of the injured Deshaun Watson.
Fowler‘s assessment reflects growing pressure for the Browns to shift from broad evaluations to a more definitive quarterback hierarchy as training camp approaches.
And the 23-year-old Shedeur has quickly defied expectations. In OTAs, Sanders reportedly recorded a 77.4% completion rate, throwing nine touchdowns against only one interception. It’s a stat line that has added legitimacy to his push for greater responsibility.
Still, not everyone is convinced that Sanders is in serious contention to start Week 1 and for now, it appears the Browns are favoring experience over potential.
Flacco, who went 4-1 and led the team to a playoff appearance in 2023, and Pickett, who brings starting experience from his time in Pittsburgh, have dominated first-team reps.
Whether Sanders can flip the script around and get himself into the starter picture remains to be seen as the team prepares to take on the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7.
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