Shedeur Sanders’ improbable and historic journey to the NFL came full circle on Friday night. He proved he could do that during a fiery first preseason rookie debut with the Cleveland Browns. The rookie quarterback went 14-for-23 for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Fans and analysts alike are salivating over his prodigious upside!
A fifth-round draft choice, Sanders is now fourth on the Browns’ QB depth chart. Despite his incredible leap, expectations that he should be receiving this pressure have fallen squarely on the coaching staff and front office to move him back. Veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are ahead of him, as is another rookie Dillon Gabriel. Even given Sanders’ phenomenal field performance, we have to ask how quickly he might rise up the leaderboard.
Ever since he was 12 years old, Sanders was a phenom, stealing headlines all throughout his tenure in college. His goal during the game was clear: to put pressure on both the Cleveland Browns and Gabriel, who is competing for the same roster spot.
Sanders displayed his accurate and limiting ball placement intangibles. He was flexible with his legs, avoiding pressure and connecting on a deep ball with Luke Floriea on the money. He lofted two perfectly placed touchdown passes to Kaden Davis in the red zone. Tonight’s performance only continues to make the case for a move up the depth chart.
“Did he surprise me? We have an expectation for our quarterbacks, our players, when they’re playing the game in that position to go operate and make good decisions with the football. Our quarterback took care of the football, which is no small thing.” – Kevin Stefanski
Critics have raised doubts about Sanders’ draft stock based on perceptions about his confidence and style as a young Black QB. The way he played on Friday was the perfect encapsulation that he’s much more than just a fifth-rounder.
After the game, Sanders spoke about how he approaches competitiveness and high-stakes situations.
“I just think about when I get out there just doing what I got to do. Everything else is not in my hands, so why worry about it?” – Shedeur Sanders
Throughout his career the coaching staff stressed the need for development at this level, particularly at this stage of Sanders’ career. As he said above, Stefanski reiterated the need to be constantly evaluating their players. He acknowledged that it is early days in the rulemaking process.
“We’re really just focused on developing our players. We’re in evaluation mode. I’m pleased with where the guys are, but I’m not diving into a quarterback competition.” – Kevin Stefanski
Sanders’ next opportunity comes against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday. He’ll likely get the most reps of any game that night. This performance might have a huge say in how high he climbs the depth chart as he still needs to keep proving what he can really do.
“The situations were invaluable for Shedeur, for all of our offense… that’s all part of our development of our young players.” – Kevin Stefanski
As the preseason continues, it will be very important for Sanders to build off of this success. His capacity to excel with the heat on him will considerably shape his future here in Cleveland with the Browns. Further, it will determine how other players, coaches and front office members across the league will view him.
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