Kevin Stefanski, the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, had previously mentioned that fans shouldn’t worry too much about Shedeur Sanders not getting the initial reps at the rookie minicamp. Now that training camp has kicked off, the former Colorado player is practicing primarily with the backups. While Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel have been taking snaps with the starting lineup, Sanders, who surprisingly slipped to the fifth round in the NFL Draft, is waiting patiently for his chance.
During the training camp at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, Sanders has been mostly working with the third-string team. “I don’t think that’s my place to answer, to give the answer to that,” Sanders shared with ESPN on Friday. “I feel like that it’s not in my control. So, I’m not going to think about that or even have that in my thought process of why it is. There’s a lot of people who want to have the opportunity to be at this level, and I’m here. And I’m thankful to have the opportunity. So, whenever that is, that is.”
Though he’s not getting as many first-team reps, Sanders remains optimistic. He stated, “It doesn’t make me feel down or left out because I know who I am as a person. I know who I am as an individual, and I know what I could bring to this team. So, I can never feel less than any circumstance.”
At a recent training session in Berea, Ohio, Joe Flacco was seen throwing while Sanders watched, showcasing the dynamic on the field. Sanders was once a top draft prospect but saw an unexpected drop in his draft position. The Browns opted to draft Dillon Gabriel in the third round instead.
Despite the setbacks, Sanders is maintaining a positive outlook. “It doesn’t really faze me,” he confidently said. “We came all the way from an HBCU to a Power 5, and now we’re here. So, at this point, if you look, there’s nothing that’s a challenge, I would say.”
The Browns are gearing up for their first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on August 8. With Deshaun Watson recovering from a twice-torn Achilles, all four quarterbacks on the roster are putting in the effort during training.
The competition for quarterback positions is fierce, but Sanders seems unfazed by the challenge. His resilience and determination are evident as he continues to work hard and prove his worth on the field. As the preseason approaches, all eyes will be on the Browns’ quarterback lineup to see how things unfold.
