Shedeur Sanders shows promise but faces challenges in Browns’ QB competition

By Joe Reedy

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The dichotomy that is Shedeur Sanders’ development as a rookie quarterback and the heightened expectations for him with the Cleveland Browns was again evident Wednesday.

Sanders had the best throw of the day during organized team activities when he zipped a pinpoint pass to tight end Caden Davis in the back of the end zone during a 7-on-7 red-zone drill. Whether or not Davis got both feet in before going out of bounds was up for debate on social media.

However, Sanders was the only one of Cleveland’s four quarterbacks not to take a snap with the first-team offense during 11-on-11 drills. He did take second-team snaps, but slipped and fell on the first play.

Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees lauded Sanders for his work ethic amid what some still see as a steep learning curve for the fifth-round pick.

“He’s really put in a lot of work as all those guys are, but you could tell on the mental side of the game and learning the system and calling it and having that rhythm to it, he’s put a lot of work and time and effort into that. And then when you do that, the game starts to slow down and you can focus on finding completions. And he’s done a nice job of that as camp’s progressed,” Rees said.

With three young quarterbacks in camp — third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, Sanders and fourth-year pro Kenny Pickett — Rees said a large amount of the offense has been installed while keeping a close eye on the growth and progression of all three.

“Definitely pushing them and pushing where we want them to go, but also being cognizant of, hey, we want them to go out there with confidence and making sure that it’s beneficial to how they’re learning and the way they’re going,” Rees said.

Joe Flacco and Pickett remain the front-runners to be under center on Sept. 7 when the Browns open against the Cincinnati Bengals. The amount of snaps all four will get during the first two weeks of training camp remain fluid.

“We’re going to find ways to be creative and make sure they all have opportunities to develop and put their best foot forward. And when the time comes, we will continue to push guys forward as they earn it,” Rees said.

The number of snaps all four will receive during the three days of next week’s mandatory minicamp also has to be determined.

When it comes to who may win the starting job, Rees can see valid arguments for any of the four.

“We’re so early in the process and in evaluating it. I think we have a good group of guys that will continue to push one another and by the time September rolls around, we’ll be ready to go,” he said.

NOTES: The Browns announced after practice that Gabriel signed his rookie contract. Running back Quinshon Judkins, who was selected in the second round, is Cleveland’s lone unsigned draft pick. … The Browns also held a groundbreaking ceremony to expand their team headquarters. The expansion will include community, medical and multi-family living and commercial spaces.

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