Shedeur Sanders will start this week for the Cleveland Browns but he’s yet to earn a long-term nod from head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Sanders is heading into his third start. He’s gone 1-1 in his first two games, passing for 405 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions over that span. He’s completing 50.8% of his passes and has posted a quarterback rating of 69.4.
Stefanski said the Browns are still operating on a week-by-week basis, leaving the door open for the team to potentially go back to Dillon Gabriel, who started six games, going 1-5.
“I’m just dealing with our football team week to week, but I’m pleased with his progress,” Stefanski said. “He wants to continue to get better and better, and that’s the right attitude to have, and that’s why we’ll continue to work.”
That’s not to say that Stefanski doesn’t have faith in Sanders as he gets more reps under his belt.
“Shedeur had some really good moments in that football game. There are things that he wants back that we’re coaching up right now that he can improve upon. But bottom line is we have to continue to put our players in position to succeed,” Stefanski said. “For the young quarterback, you only get better with more turns at this thing in these games, as you see more coverages, as you see more defenses and as you prepare versus different defenses. So just looking forward to that constant improvement with Shedeur and for all of our young players.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Building Trust With Receivers
Sanders did not receive any first-team reps before taking over during a Week 11 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
After the loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sanders pointed to needing more time to develop chemistry with his receivers.
“When we got in certain passing situations and field position, everything like that, it wasn’t the best. It was a comfort level. I think, like, as players and as teammates, we have to be able to gel with each other and be comfortable with each other in every situation,” Sanders said. “That takes time, that takes a lot of things. So, this team is not going to be a microwave thing — we’re going to have sparks here and there, but it’s going to take time to be able to develop that chemistry with everybody.”
Sanders has still provided some explosive plays — something that has been missing for the Browns’ offense. In Week 12, he hit Isaiah Bond on a 52-yard completion that led to a touchdown. Against the 49ers, Sanders connected with tight end Harold Fannin on a 34-yard score.
Browns Not Concerned With Jerry Jeudy-Shedeur Sanders Relationship
One significant storyline after the game was Browns No. 1 receiver Jerry Jeudy getting into a sideline spat with Sanders. Jeudy was animated in his disagreement with Sanders as they examined a play on the sideline. Stefanski played down the interaction.
“Football is an emotional sport, and certainly when you’re a family like we are, you can have your disagreements,” Stefanski said. “Sometimes they’re for everybody to see. Sometimes it’s behind closed doors. But like a family, we move on, we talk about it, so not worried about it.”
Sanders alluded to not seeing the game through the same “lens” as Jeudy.
“Of course you want to be able to get (Jeudy) the ball, but you got to understand it take time. I’m more of a trust person, and that’s just what it boils down to,” Sanders said. “So, we have to spend time on task with all those guys, and be able to trust and be able to see things at the same lens.”
The Browns have a chance to get back on track this week against the one-win Tennessee Titans.
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