Shedeur Sanders will have to have an impressive stretch to close out the season if he hopes to have a long-term future with the Cleveland Browns.
Sanders will draw his second start against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13. He had a successful starting debut, passing for 209 yards, one touchdown and an interception against the Las Vegas Raiders. Sanders numbers were helped by a couple of long completions, including a 66-yard catch and run by running back Dylan Sampson.
There’s little debate that Sanders injected some much-needed life into an offense that has sputtered for most of the year. Still, a major decision awaits Cleveland in the offseason. The Browns hold two first-round picks — including an extra selection acquired in a draft-day trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, when they moved from No. 2 to No. 5. How they choose to use that draft capital will say plenty about their long-term plans at quarterback.
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com is in favor of the team selecting a passer, even if Sanders shows some solid upside. It might be the best chance Cleveland has to solve its decades-long quarterback issue.
“I personally think they should still draft a quarterback with one or both of those picks, because seven starts — if Sanders finishes out the season — is still a small sample size for a rookie quarterback,” Cabot said. “I don’t think another position trumps QB in the first round if you’re not sure you have your franchise quarterback, but there is a world in which the Browns decide that Sanders is their man.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Gets Tough Test Against 49ers
The 49ers will be more of a measuring stick game for Sanders. San Francisco enters with an 8-4 record and a solid defense.
“They’re a well-coached team, honestly,” Sanders said. “They rush the passer very good. They’re great in coverage. They have great disguises overall. They know how to get pressure on the quarterback, so they’re great all around defense. We know they’re going to have something different cooking for us. But even having this opportunity to go out there and study them and be able to go on the field is cool. I’m just thankful for it.”
Cabot didn’t rule out Sanders emerging as the Browns’ long-term answer — but emphasized that his case starts Sunday.
“If Sanders can continue the big-playmaking ability and put up points, he can convince the Browns that he is, indeed, who they’re looking for, and leave those two first round picks for other key spots such as offensive tackle, receiver and edge rusher,” Cabot said.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Understands Opportunity
Sanders’ confidence oozes out of him. But the former Colorado star understands the situation he’s in with the Browns. He’ll have to keep producing to keep his job and go beyond expectations to start changing the thinking within the building.
“I’m definitely not comfortable though, so that’s first and foremost that I have another opportunity to go out there,” Sanders said. “But in life, you’ve got to understand how quickly things come or how long it comes. It could be taken at any point in time. So I’m never comfortable in a situation I’m in. I always want to exceed expectations and I always want to grow. Each and every week, I want to put a better product of myself, be a better version of myself for the team to be out there.”
Sanders and the Browns are a 6.5-point home underdog against the 49ers.
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