Training camp is here for the Cleveland Browns, a very exciting time for the fan base. While the Browns are expected to struggle some next season, there’s also reason to believe it could be an exciting year if Cleveland finds something.
Regarding what the Browns could find, it’s their future long-term quarterback. Selecting two quarterbacks in the first five rounds, Dillon Gabriel, and most notably, Shedeur Sanders, perhaps the most followed rookie in the NFL because of who his father is and his status off the field.
Will Sanders Have a Shot at the Starting Gig?
Sanders showed during his time at Colorado that he has the potential to be an above-average quarterback in the NFL. However, it remains uncertain just how much of a chance the Cleveland Browns will give him.
According to Zac Jackson of The Athletic, it’s possible that Sanders could get a chance to start at some point. He noted that the Browns aren’t counting on him to be ready right now, but if the quarterback competition goes as it could, Sanders could eventually get an opportunity.
“The one Browns player much of the outside world is watching makes for a fascinating evaluation internally, too. After all 32 teams decided Sanders wasn’t worthy of being drafted for nearly 5 1/2 rounds, the Browns traded up to take him despite having selected quarterback Dillon Gabriel 50 picks earlier. Sanders showed in the spring that he’s capable of throwing with touch and accuracy. In a wide-open, four-man quarterback competition this summer, Sanders will have to show he’s capable of commanding the huddle, mastering the playbook and avoiding some of the mistakes against pressure that evaluators didn’t like from his college tape.
“The Browns aren’t counting on Sanders to be ready right away, but their quarterback competition could go a dozen ways — and Sanders could eventually find himself on the field as a rookie if he performs well this summer,” he noted.
For the son of the former all-time great, all Sanders can hope for is to get an opportunity to play. If he runs with that opportunity, it’s possible that he could be the long-term starter, as the Browns are looking for that.
Sanders didn’t get many opportunities during OTAs to prove what he has, as he was often seen working with the third and fourth-string reps.
Sanders Could Get Some Run in Preseason Action
However, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Cleveland Browns may allow Sanders during the preseason games to showcase his abilities.
She added that Gabriel will likely get the first reps in this scenario, but that Sanders could also be a piece of the puzzle in games during the preseason.
“By the time the Browns practice against the Eagles on Aug. 13 and 14, it will be easier to see which way the Browns are leaning,” Cabot wrote. “The QB1 in those practices has a good chance to be the Week 1 starter, although the Browns will get some good data from the second preseason game in Philly, too. Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will likely split that game, probably in that order, and they can both gain some ground in the competition. I just think it needs to end sooner than later to get the starter ready to play.”
