Questions are surfacing about Shedeur Sanders’ standing with the Cleveland Browns following a report that the rookie quarterback hasn’t been logging any scout-team reps in practice.
Earlier this week, Tony Rizzo of ESPN Cleveland reported hearing rumors that Sanders has been spending most of practice on the sidelines, questioning why he’s even on the roster.
“I’m hearing that Shedeur is not even running the scout team. He’s watching everyone. Bailey Zappe is running the scout team. I don’t know if that’s true but that’s what I’m hearing,” Rizzo said. “Why is he on the team? Why is he even here? Because his jersey is selling? The Haslams don’t need jersey money, do they?”
Browns quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave addressed how the team is handling reps, saying Sanders, Zappe and Dillon Gabriel have all taken their turns.
“At times the concepts resemble what we would run here with the Browns, and at times it’s completely foreign. But the fact that they’re out there and having to make decisions and process and then deliver throws accurately, all that is really good,” Musgrave said. “All three guys to really give the defense a good look, because being a scout team quarterback, you’re working on your own craft, but really it’s an art form to replicate the opponent so the defense can be ready to do their thing on Sunday.”
Browns Taking ‘Different’ Approach With QBs
Musgrave admitted that having multiple quarterbacks running the scout team is not typical. But it’s something the quarterbacks have embraced.
“I’d say it’s a little bit different and it’s exciting because those guys do take pride in getting the defense ready,” They want to do a good job of replicating the opponent’s offense, and at the same time, they want to try to relate any play that they get to our game plan for that week, too, so they can feel like they can get a little double duty there.”
Gabriel has served as the primary backup to 40-year-old Joe Flacco. Sanders is the No. 3, emergency quarterback. He’ll be dubbed “inactive” on game days, only available if both Flacco and Gabriel are injured.
Flacco performed well in the opener, despite having two interceptions on his stat line. Both interceptions were caused by wide receiver drops.
Shedeur Sanders Adjusting to Backup Role With Browns
Both Sanders and Gabriel were college stars, so learning to be a backup is new for them. Musgrave said that both of the rookie passers have been working hard to stay ready if their number is called.
“Neither of these guys have ever not been the guy, and that happens a lot with guys who enter the NFL. They’ve been the starters their whole lives. And so, there’s a transition there,” Musgrave said. “And for the first week, they did a nice job. They immersed themselves in the game plan, did a lot of drill work on the side, both before and after practice. And then they get some scout team reps so they can get some balls airborne and make sure that they’re staying in sync.”
Sanders said the shift in mindset is something he talked with now-Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley about. Huntley spent the preseason with the Browns before being released and signing with the Ravens, where he’s spent the majority of his career as a backup to Lamar Jackson.
“The fact that (Tyler) Huntley is here, I feel like God sent him here for a reason, honestly, just to talk and to be a guy, be a mentor toward me and his career also,” Sanders said in August. “Being in that backup role, he faced that also in his career and he just gave me the mentality on what I need to do and how I need to stay on top of everything.”
The Browns are a 12.5-point underdog against the Ravens in Week 2.
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