Shedeur Sanders has looked the more impressive quarterback during the Cleveland Browns’ opening week of training camp, as he battles with veteran Deshaun Watson for the starting job.
However, not everyone believes the second-year quarterback has taken a step forward. During ESPN Cleveland’s The Really Big Show, Browns reporter Justin Cooper offered a blunt assessment of one area where he believes Sanders has actually regressed.
Browns Reporter Says Shedeur Sanders ‘Looks Worse’ Getting Rid of the Football
Sanders has completed 70.3% of his passes through four days of training camp practice with four touchdowns and just one interception, compared to Watson’s 64.4% completion rate, three touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Even so, Browns analyst Tony Rizzo wanted to know whether Sanders had improved one concerning trait in his game, about how quickly he processes the field and gets the football out.
“Does Shedeur look better getting rid of the football? That was his big issue,” Rizzo asked.
“No. He looks worse,” Cooper immediately replied.
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Rizzo then offered context, suggesting that Sanders’ adjustment period should not come as a surprise, as the former Colorado standout is once again learning a brand-new offensive system, making it his third different offense in as many years.
Does Shedeur look better getting rid of the ball on time?
“No, he looks worse,” – @JJCoop25 on what he’s seen at training camp. pic.twitter.com/M8HrIfoXbU
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 3, 2026
“Well, okay, I can explain, or you could call it making an excuse. It’s up to you,” Rizzo said.
“Of course, Shedeur looks like that,” Rizzo added. “He’s learning a new offense — the third offense in three years. It’s not easy for a guy who doesn’t process quickly at the moment.”
Despite the concerns, Sanders’ overall production during training camp is encouraging. He has taken all first-team reps twice during camp and has fared better than Watson so far.
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Saturday’s practice saw contrasting outings for the two quarterbacks once again. While Sanders completed 13 of his 22 passes with four touchdowns and one interception, Watson finished with three touchdown passes but also threw three interceptions.
Rizzo went on to argue that Watson shouldn’t be treated harshly despite the struggles, saying he hasn’t played meaningful football in a long time.
“Of course, Watson looks like crap. He hasn’t played. The guy himself said, ‘I just need to play football,'” Rizzo continued. “And, oh, by the way, splitting the reps isn’t helping him get back in the groove either. The splitting of the reps right now is a problem.”
Sanders finished the 2025 season with a PFN QB Impact Score of 63.0, the second-lowest score in the league. He also threw for 1,400 yards while completing 56.6% of his passes with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Meanwhile, Watson has played just 19 games since arriving in Cleveland in 2022, and he has not featured since tearing his right Achilles tendon during the 2024 season. Another ruptured tendon in the following January led to another surgery that sidelined him for the entire campaign last year.
With Cleveland’s first padded practice still to come before preseason begins on August 15 against the Chicago Bears, the quarterback competition remains far from settled. Nevertheless, Sanders has put together a strong case at training camp.
