- Cleveland Browns. Shedeur Sanders continues to climb and is now in second place among the Cleveland Browns quarterbacks, behind only Joe Flacco
- Cleveland Browns. There is already a separation between Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel that could be decisive in the quarterback competition with the Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders remains a hot topic as the Cleveland Browns' OTAs progress. The former Colorado Buffaloes star has been a pleasant surprise for those closely following the team, with some arguing he hasn't received the treatment befitting a rookie with his potential, especially given his standout performances in these initial practices.
The son of Deion Sanders is proving it was a genuine mistake for him to slip to a fifth-round pick, as every team overlooked his name in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Browns Under Fire Over Sanders' Playbook
A battle for the starting quarterback position is unfolding within the Browns, with four hungry contenders, but the spotlight is firmly on Shedeur Sanders.
Many analysts and experts believe that either Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett will start Week 1 under center, while rookies Dillon Gabriel and Sanders are expected to remain on the bench.
However, ESPN's Tony Rizzo strongly disapproves of this approach, arguing that the former Colorado star deserves special consideration, similar to other projected quarterbacks in the NFL.
"The plan is flawed," Rizzo said. "You know what they're doing in New York? They're getting Jaxson Dart ready to start. You know what they're doing in Tennessee? They're getting Cam Ward ready to start. Shedeur is an afterthought. A young quarterback needs the team to commit to him with everything. The offense, the coaching, the players around him. They work him in slowly, there's a ramp up. ... He's not getting any of this. He's got to claw his way through three guys before he gets that chance," Rizzo added.
Moreover, Rizzo believes selecting two quarterbacks in the draft (Sanders and Gabriel) was an unwise decision by the organization.
It's undeniable that handing the team's reins to Shedeur Sanders would be premature, but it's shocking to hear rumors that the Browns are considering drafting another quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.
There's no question that Sanders is the player many fans want to see, but the Browns are hesitant to make rushed decisions, especially with OTAs ongoing and the mandatory minicamp still weeks away.