A source in the Cleveland Browns organization joked about the hoopla that Shedeur Sanders’ debut against the Carolina Panthers last Friday generated. While speaking to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, the source claimed that “it may be the most talked-about preseason performance in the history of the NFL.”
Zenitz sources also revealed Sanders’ inspiring night in Charlotte did little to move the needle in the Browns’ quarterback competition with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel.
“Here's the reality from talking to sources: While there were a lot of positives from that start against Carolina (for example that he was decisive and threw the ball well), there are ‘still a lot of things there that need to be cleaned up,’ including from a pocket presence standpoint and handling pressure. It was also emphasized that it's important for people to not get ahead of themselves based on a team's first preseason game. The feedback prior to the game had been that Sanders had been ‘up and down’ through the beginning of the offseason and training camp,” Zenitz wrote.
As the Sporting News’s Vinnie Iyer noted, Flacco is likely to be named Cleveland’s QB1. Sanders, meanwhile, has a legitimate chance to overtake Pickett and Gabriel with continued progress.
“Sanders got extended action in Carolina, trying to secure the key top rookie reserve role behind Joe Flacco ahead of third-rounder Dillon Gabriel. He took full advantage (14-of-23, 138 yards, 2 TDs, 106.8 rating) through multiple scoring drives and also ran well (4 carries, 19 yards) when needed,” Iyer wrote.
“Contrary to popular belief, the Browns are giving Sanders every good opportunity through camp and preseason to move up the depth chart while Flacco prepares to be the needed Week 1 bridge starter. The intense competition keeps pushing Sanders in the right direction.”
Sanders may be moving in the right direction, but he clearly hasn’t gotten there. Or anywhere, for that matter.
His preseason debut, having inspired Nike ads and chatter from all over the sports world, is a punchline to some in the Browns organization, after all.