Browns’ QB Battle: Why Shedeur Sanders Faces a Tough Road

Shedeur Sanders finds himself in a repeat of his rookie season, juggling practice reps and fighting for the starting spot with Deshaun Watson. The team’s coaching staff has been hesitant, leaving him on the sidelines in key moments and sparking criticism from former stars like Cris Carter. Carter, who once praised Sanders’ potential as a future starter, now questions whether the Browns’ development plan is fair. He notes that Sanders was expected to rise quickly after a standout college career, but the coaching changes and crowded depth chart have stalled that progress. The quarterback’s draft position also added pressure. Drafted in the fifth round instead of a top‑ten pick, Sanders had to prove himself against veterans like Joe Flacco and newer talents such as Kenny Pickett. When the Browns trimmed their roster, Sanders was left as a backup behind Dillon Gabriel, who had been selected in the third round. The decision was defended by coach Kevin Stefanski, who said the team does not focus heavily on individual rankings during training camps.During preseason, Sanders showed flashes of promise: a 14‑of‑23 pass game against the Panthers with two touchdowns and no turnovers. However, an oblique injury forced him to miss the next game, limiting his opportunity to showcase consistency. In a later matchup against the Rams, he was brought in late, completed only three passes for 14 yards, and suffered five sacks. Critics argue that the play calling was ill‑suited to his skill set and that the offense’s weak line made it difficult for him to succeed. Some insiders claim Sanders has been labeled as “entitled” and “slow, ” with coaches citing poor body language and a tendency to blame teammates. These remarks suggest deeper doubts about his readiness for the NFL’s pace and pressure. Despite these challenges, injuries opened a starting role, and Sanders managed 1, 400 yards with seven touchdowns in his first seven starts. Yet the future remains uncertain as he continues to compete for the top job against an experienced veteran like Watson.