As expected, Shedeur Sanders continues to be at the center of conversations around the Cleveland Browns, despite being a fifth-round pick. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke to the media after Day 2 of the team’s mandatory minicamp and was asked almost immediately about the rookie quarterback.
Stefanski was specifically asked why Sanders has yet to take reps with the team’s starters. So far, Sanders has only been facing the backups, even as Joe Flacco’s workload is being carefully managed.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski Explains Shedeur Sanders’ Lack of First-Team Reps
There’s been a predictable buzz around Sanders in Cleveland, with Browns beat reporters hyping up the rookie’s accuracy in practice. Some have even gone so far as to suggest Sanders should open the 2025 season as the team’s starter, even though he began the offseason as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart.
Many believe the Colorado product will eventually leapfrog others in Cleveland. Sanders was widely considered the No. 2 quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft class, but that climb hasn’t happened yet, and Stefanski was asked to explain why.
“Again, like I’ve told you guys, let’s not look too much into who’s out there, when,” Stefanski said. “We’re in installation phase, we’re in teaching phase, so not much to look into.”
That answer didn’t satisfy one reporter, who followed up by asking if the depth chart would become clearer later in the offseason. Stefanski stayed vague, choosing not to make any definitive statements while four quarterbacks are still in the mix.
“We’re so far away from that type of thought process,” he said. “Honestly, we’re in our installation phase. It’s the offseason, it’s OTAs, so we’re gonna keep the focus there. But once you get into training camp, you’re getting ready to play games, and ultimately playing the season, but right now, that’s not our focus.”
Browns Beat Writer Suggests Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel Could Be QB1 and QB2 Come September
In a recent episode of the “Orange and Brown Talk” podcast, host Dan Labbe discussed the team’s quarterback situation with Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot. The pair argued that, despite Stefanski’s evasiveness, the current depth chart looks clear.
“Shedeur has looked comfortable,” said Labbe. “He has thrown a nice ball. But also, we have to go with what we’re seeing, and that’s the fact that he’s the one guy that, to this point, when we’ve been there, has not taken first-team reps..”
Cabot agreed, suggesting that the team appears to be leaning towards Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel over Sanders.
“So when the Browns need to try a new concept, Kenny is working on that new concept, and Dillon is working on that new concept. So those two guys are trying some different things, and the most difficult things that the Browns can throw at them right now.
“They essentially need to get them up to speed, to be able to start on opening day and handle the early part of the schedule, if they’re going to win the job. And Shedeur is in a little bit of a different category. He’s not getting all of those really, really difficult concepts thrown at him right now.”
Joe Flacco continues to be the favorite to start for the team come September, but it sounds as though Gabriel and Pickett are being put through their paces.
Is Offseason Buzz Detrimental to the Cleveland Browns?
With four quarterbacks competing for the starting job, it’s easy to see why Stefanski avoids giving direct answers about the depth chart. The fact that Sanders hasn’t practiced with the starters but is still attracting the most attention is the byproduct of who he is and how the Browns drafted him.
It’s likely that Sanders’ draft-day slide was tied to teams wanting to avoid exactly what Cleveland is dealing with now. A high-profile backup can create a season-long distraction, especially as the media swarms around every slip-up by the starter.
That spotlight might even become a problem for Sanders. If just a few backup reps are causing this much buzz, imagine the headlines if he’s seen taking snaps with the first team.
When your biggest storyline involves a guy who might not even play in September, it’s a tough spot for any team to manage. Stefanski knows the longer Sanders sits, the louder the questions will get — until he either names him the starter or keeps explaining why he hasn’t.
