Sanders was once discussed as a first-round pick, but he unbelievably slipped all the way to the fifth round, where the Browns took him at 144. Even though Cleveland passed on him multiple times before finally taking him, this already created some questions. Browns GM Andrew Berry even said after the draft that nothing would …
Sanders was once discussed as a first-round pick, but he unbelievably slipped all the way to the fifth round, where the Browns took him at 144. Even though Cleveland passed on him multiple times before finally taking him, this already created some questions. Browns GM Andrew Berry even said after the draft that nothing would be promised to Sanders, and that he’d have to work for everything. That kind of set the tone early, and it never really felt like the Browns were fully committed to him.
The situation didn’t improve as the season progressed. Former Browns’ player Josh Cribbs publicly questioned whether Cleveland ever actually saw Sanders as a real future starter. Sanders himself stayed quiet, saying he couldn’t control not getting first-team reps and attempting to carry himself like a pro. Still, it was obvious he wasn’t getting many chances to prove anything. Browns lineman Wyatt Teller spoke with the media after the game and said he couldn’t hear the snap count because Shedeur hasn’t taken first-team reps since training camp.
“I think I have heard his cadence like, two or three times,” Teller said. “I think going out of halftime, we all got on the line, and he said his cadence, and we kind of got through it”
That comment pretty much shows how unprepared the situation was and makes it feel like the Browns set him up to fail from the start. But now, with this opportunity in front of him, this is Shedeur’s chance to prove everyone wrong and show what he can really do.
Unfortunately, his debut last week didn’t help the belief yet. Sanders was thrown into the game after Dillon Gabriel went down with a concussion against the Ravens. It was rough from the start. He finished 4 of 16 for 47 yards with an interception and took two sacks. After the game, he was honest about it, saying he didn’t think he played well at all. Even so, the Browns’ coaching staff said they still believe in his ability and plan to build a game plan that better suits him now that he’s the starter.
Now Sanders gets another shot, but this time he gets a full week of preparation and the chance to start fresh. In a year when the Browns have dealt with injuries and inconsistency at quarterback, this can be a moment he truly takes advantage of, should he settle in early.
All the drama in how the Browns have handled him so far only adds to the story. But if Sanders plays well this weekend, he can change the entire conversation in one night. It’s a big moment for him, and a chance to finally show what he can do when he’s actually given the opportunity.
