The Cleveland Browns insist Shedeur Sanders has a real chance to become an NFL starting quarterback. Mike Greenberg is not convinced.
During ESPN’s “Get Up” on Tuesday morning, Greenberg questioned whether Cleveland is truly developing Sanders as a potential long-term starter. It is a fair question, especially after Deshaun Watson opened the preseason with the first-team offense.
However, the Browns’ recent practice schedule and upcoming plans suggest Sanders is receiving a legitimate opportunity. The bigger question is whether he can do enough with it.
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Greenberg questions Cleveland’s plan for Sanders
Greenberg argued that Sanders’ status as a fifth-round pick continues to shape the way people view his development. This segment of “just asking questions” perpetuates a narrative that Cleveland can’t get out of their own way. Or they aren’t willing to do what’s necessary to win. That’s unfair.
“What’s so interesting about the way this whole Shedeur Sanders situation is unfolding. Heather [Dinich] just made an interesting point… Where a team sits in the AP preseason rankings gives you a preconceived notion about it. Even if that ranking does not reflect what the team actually is. Shedeur Sanders getting drafted where he did gives you a preconceived notion about him. Even though it has nothing to do with what’s going on right now.
“They’re not developing him as if they’re trying to make him the starter. Or as if he’s their guy going forward. To your point, he’s not getting all the work or all the reps. He’s going to look like a young player. Because he’s not being treated like someone they’re trying to develop.”
Greenberg’s broader point is understandable. Sanders entered the NFL as the No. 144 pick. He spent much of his rookie offseason near the bottom of a crowded quarterback rotation. Even after he started seven games last season, the Browns made him compete with Watson for the starting job in his second training camp.
Still, the idea that Cleveland is not developing Sanders is harder to support based on what the team has done over the past several weeks.
Sanders is getting a real opportunity to win the job
Sanders and Watson have shared first-team work throughout camp. Sanders even took every first-team rep during Cleveland’s Aug. 12 practice, leading successful red-zone and two-minute periods with the projected starters. Coach Todd Monken has repeatedly called it an open competition.
“As long as we’re still sharing reps, it’s a competition,” Monken said.
Watson received the first preseason start against Chicago and completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards. Sanders followed with the second unit and finished 6 of 11 for 79 yards with an interception in Cleveland’s 34-10 loss.
Sanders’ best play was a 35-yard completion to Luke Floriea. However, the offense failed to score during his appearance, and Bears cornerback Beanie Bishop intercepted his overthrow intended for Malachi Corley.
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Sanders will get his turn Saturday against Buffalo. The former Colorado standout will start and play the first half, while Watson will handle the third quarter. Sanders could be without several starters if Cleveland’s first-team offense gets enough work during Thursday’s joint practice.
What the Browns beat writers think of the QB competition
Local reporters have largely framed this week as Sanders’ opportunity to take control of the competition. The Chronicle-Telegram’s Scott Petrak said the chance is there for Sanders to take, while the Akron Beacon Journal’s Chris Easterling described the second preseason start as an equalizer after Watson won the first round.
Monken also said Sanders has “improved so much” at climbing the pocket and working through his progressions. His remaining concerns involve drifting too deep, operating the huddle and getting the offense lined up cleanly.
So, do the Browns want Sanders to start? For a team with a long history of struggles, it’s hard to imagine self-sabotaging subterfuge being a factor. They appear willing to let Sanders win the job, but they are not building the competition for him to win automatically. May the best QB win. He simply has to earn it over Watson, which makes sense considering he is a fifth-round pick entering Year 2. Saturday’s performance against Buffalo should help determine whether he has done enough to win the job.
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