Shedeur Sanders Called Out as Browns Whiff on Prized Free Agent

The Cleveland Browns head into the offseason with main questions at quarterback, and a blunt evaluation of Shedeur Sanders from a distinguished reporter is not serving to make clear the image.

Jason Lloyd of The Athletic had identified criticism of Sanders whereas on “The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show,” citing sources with direct knowledge of the second-year quarterback’s preparation habits.

“I’ve talked to enough people and heard a lot that isn’t very good,” Lloyd stated. “What am I supposed to do with that? Am I supposed to play dumb and come in here and say, ‘Play the kid, let’s give it a shot’? When you hear over and over that he doesn’t watch a ton of film, that he had to be shown how to study film, that he doesn’t know when he’s hot or what he’s looking at in coverages — am I supposed to ignore all that?

“Then, while you have a look at the info, it’s what it’s. He did not play properly. But individuals need me to disregard that as a result of it is Shedeur. They need to ignore it as a result of he was a fifth-round choose and in the event that they hit on a fifth-rounder, it erases Deshaun. All of that could be true, however while you hear the identical issues again and again from completely different individuals, you may’t simply ignore it.”

Fellow Athletic writer Zac Jackson offered a more measured takecalling Sanders the team’s current No. 1 but adding a significant qualifier: “I think Shedeur is No. 1, but the least comfortable or safe No. 1 that there could ever be.”

Browns Have Not Named Shedeur Sanders QB1

New head coach Todd Monken and general manager Andrew Berry have both said the team could have an open competitors for the beginning quarterback spot.

“Sure, I think it’s an open competition,” Monken said. “I imply, I do not why it would not be an open competitors. I do not imply that saying it harshly, however I do not suppose there’s sufficient on movie during the last couple years somehow to say, boy, we now have our starter at quarterback but. Whether internally or externally.”

The Browns’ external options are beginning to narrow as free agency opens. Malik Willis was the top free agent passer on the market and on Cleveland’s radar. However, I have signed with the Miami Dolphins shortly after free agency opened.

Cleveland still has two first-round picks (No. 6 and 24 overall). However, the Browns aren’t expected to pursue a quarterback early, although they may look in the later rounds.

The Browns made two big signings to open free agencyadding offensive guard Zion Johnson and linebacker Quincy Williams.

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Confident After Rookie Year

Sanders appeared in eight games (seven starts) last season, completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also added 169 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Browns finished 5-12.

His path to the starting lineup was anything but direct. He opened the season third on the depth chart behind Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel. Sanders eventually took over as the starter in mid-November, closed the year by leading the team to back-to-back wins, and emerged with significant confidence.

“That’s the most thing I appreciate about this year is that I proved to myself, I’m able to dominate the league,” Sanders told Kay Adams on the Up and Adams show. “I’m capable of take completions, I’m capable of put all of that collectively, and undoubtedly in video games, we now have flashes, however I do know I’m able to doing that. Now, to do it on a constant foundation, that is what the aim is. But for me on this previous season, that is what (I) proved to myself.”

JR DeGroote JR DeGroote is a workers author for Heavy.com, the place he has coated the NFL, NBA, and trending sports activities tales since 2019. His work focuses on a number of the most passionate fanbases in sports activities, together with reporting on the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers. More about JR DeGroote