The Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation is heating up! With the first preseason game in the books, rookie Shedeur Sanders has turned heads with a stellar performance, throwing for two touchdowns despite being a fifth-round pick. But does this mean he'll be starting anytime soon?
Sanders' Impact vs. Veteran Experience
Despite Sanders' impressive debut, veteran Joe Flacco is still the frontrunner to start Week 1, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. Kenny Pickett is also back in practice, further complicating the picture. However, Sanders' performance has significantly increased his chances of seeing playing time later in the season if the Browns' season doesn't go as planned.
Breer notes, "For now, I feel pretty confident that one of the veterans, probably Joe Flacco, will start in Week 1. But what this does, I think, is create a better chance that the Browns would want to get a look at him later in the year, if the season doesn’t go the way they want it to."
Hamstring Issues Cloud the Competition
The quarterback competition has been further complicated by hamstring injuries to Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel. Pickett has been limited in practice, while Gabriel missed the first preseason game. These injuries have impacted the throwing schedule and may influence Coach Kevin Stefanski's ultimate decision.
- Joe Flacco: Still the favorite to start Week 1.
- Shedeur Sanders: Made a strong impression, improving his chances for future playing time.
- Kenny Pickett: Limited by a hamstring injury.
- Dillon Gabriel: Also dealing with a hamstring issue.
Stefanski envisions the final rounds of the competition being staged on the Eagles’ practice fields later this week, followed by an announcement of some sort back at home next week, when the Browns are expected to shift into more of a regular-season rehearsal mode.
What's Next for the Browns?
The Browns are heading to Philadelphia for joint practice sessions with the Eagles, which Stefanski views as a crucial week for evaluating the quarterbacks. The team hopes to compete for a playoff spot, but if the season takes a turn for the worse, they may be more inclined to give Sanders a chance rather than relying on a veteran like Tyler Huntley.
Sanders' performance in his first game has certainly made a statement. While he may not get as many reps in the next game, his actions with those snaps will be critical in shaping his future with the Browns. The quarterback battle is far from over, and the coming weeks will be decisive.