CLEVELAND, Ohio — Why didn’t the Browns play Shedeur Sanders earlier?
It’s an interesting question, especially after Sanders played well in the Browns’ 24-10 victory over Las Vegas last week.
But is it possible the Browns had a plan, even if some fans don’t like it?
Sanders’ two million social media followers refused to accept the fact their man fell into the fifth round. Then they became outraged by the team that finally drafted him (Cleveland), and insisted the Browns were “sabotaging” his career.
That’s because the Browns didn’t look to start him right away.
So the Browns drafted a guy in the fifth round to destroy him?
Sigh.
Suppose Sanders’ name was Fred Quarterback and he was picked in the fifth round. Would anyone be surprised he was on the depth chart behind two veteran quarterbacks (Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett) and a third-round pick (Dillon Gabriel) at the start of training camp?
You can argue Sanders should have been drafted higher. You can insist the Browns overrated Gabriel.
How about this thought: They drafted Sanders in the fifth round to develop him. They weren’t the only NFL team who believed his time at Jackson State and Colorado playing only for his father (Deion Sanders) wasn’t prime preparation for the NFL.
Shedeur Sanders first start gave GM Andrew Berry a reason to smile.John Kuntz, cleveland.comListen to Andrew Berry
The most significant comments on Sanders entering the NFL came from Andrew Berry, the man who drafted him. I interviewed Berry before the season started, and he said this about Sanders:
“We’re not naive with the notoriety that comes with having him on the team,” said the Browns GM. “The challenge of that is that everybody is excited to see him play … yesterday. Some people are pushing their own timing for someone else’s development. Our approach is to take out that part (the public popularity) and allow him to go at a pace that is appropriate for him to learn and grow.”
Berry is very conscious of the challenges facing most rookie quarterbacks.
“We want them to hit the field when we think they have a chance to be successful,” he told me.
During a televised preseason game, Berry said this about Sanders adapting to the NFL after his time at Colorado: “He’s going from a college offensive system where … Imagine you were fluent in English and now you have to learn Mandarin.”
One of the factors is Sanders rarely took snaps directly under center in college. He often operated out of a no-huddle offense. In the NFL, the Browns (and most teams) want a QB to do both.
Put the “English to Mandarin” comment together with his goal of wanting rookie quarterbacks “to hit the field when they have a chance to be successful.”
Now, you have an idea of the Browns’ plan for Sanders.
Remember, the guy who drafted Sanders said all those things about the rookie not being ready to play right away. It’s Berry. His name that’s on the selection of Sanders.
Why would he want Sanders to fail? It would reflect poorly on him.
Shedeur Sanders showed the ability to throw while on the run. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.comHis time was coming
Can we use the P-word … Patience?
These are the Browns. They played nine different quarterbacks in 2023 and 2024. NINE in two years!
They’ve played an average of three per season in Kevin Stefanski’s six-year tenure as the coach. Sanders is the 42nd different QB to start for the Browns since the franchise returned in 1999. Next on that list is Chicago with 30.
Then keep in mind that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam answered a question about wanting to see both rookies playing with one word, “Absolutely.”
By the end of training camp, Pickett was traded to Las Vegas. Then Flacco started the first four regular-season games, followed by being traded to Cincinnati.
Next up, Gabriel. He lasted six starts. Then he suffered a concussion.
By the 11th game of the season, Sanders was starting … the third quarterback to start a game this season for the Browns.
A detour to La-La Land
Sanders fans and some media members were screaming about the Browns taking their guy off the field in the red zone in the victory over the Raiders.
Twice, they used Quinshon Judkins in the Wildcat – and that led to a pair of TDs.
The theory is the Browns did it so Sanders wouldn’t receive credit (or something) for the touchdowns.
For the record, the Browns used Judkins twice in the Wildcat leading to a pair of TDs in the victory over Miami. Guess they didn’t want Gabriel (the starting QB) to receive credit for those TDs … or something.
I’ve been in the media business for nearly a half-century. These types of conspiracy theories are new to me – and completely incomprehensible.
PS: I love how Sanders refuses to be drawn into this ridiculous conversation.
Future Hall of Fame QB Patrick Mahomes started one game as a rookie.AP Photo/Peter AikenSooner not always better
Patrick Mahomes didn’t make a start during his 2018 rookie season until the final game. He was the 10th overall choice in that draft. Aaron Rodgers waited four years to start a game in Green Bay.
Super Bowl-winning QB Jalen Hurts was a second round pick. He started only four games as a rookie for Philadelphia. Green Bay’s Jordan Love (a first round pick) started one game in his first two years.
Baker Mayfield sat behind Tyrod Taylor for the first two games of his rookie season. He played in the third game after Taylor was injured.
Mayfield was not an immediate success. In six games with Hue Jackson as head coach, Mayfield threw eight TD passes compared to six interceptions. He completed 58% of his passes for a passer 79 rating.
In eight games with Gregg Williams as head coach and Freddie Kitchens calling plays, Mayfield soared. He threw 19 TD passes compared to eight interceptions. He had a 105 rating and completed 67% of his passes.
One reason was the coaching change. But it also took some time for him to learn the NFL. The reason quarterback is the hardest position in the NFL is because so much information is thrown at the QB.
Kevin Stefanski meets individually with Shedeur Sanders three times a week. John Kuntz, cleveland.comGoing to school
While some Sanders supporters were insisting the Browns weren’t being fair with their favorite player, Coach Kevin Stefanski was meeting Sanders early in the morning at least three times a week to go over the offenses and study his practice tape.
The Browns have a “Hungry Dawg” extra practice period after the regular sessions for rookies such as Sanders and other players not having enough normal practice time.
They were developing their young players – and Sanders was (and is) receiving special attention.
I’d rather see the Browns take this approach with Sanders than rush him into action with little preparation. That is setting up a quarterback to fail.
Sanders’ first start was encouraging, completing 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards. He had a 89 rating, He completed two long passes when rolling to his right – a 52-yarder to Isaiah Bond and a 39-yarder to Jerry Jeudy as the Browns beat Las Vegas, 24-10.
Sanders will face a tougher challenge with San Francisco on Sunday. We are in “way too early” journalistic territory when trying to project the career of Sanders. That said, I see nothing wrong with how the Browns have handled him.
Come see me: I will be signing copies of “Why can’t this team just find a quarterback?” at Barnes & Noble North Canton (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.) and at Visible Voice Boos in Cleveland (Thursday, 7 p.m.).