The quarterback drama in Cleveland shows no signs of slowing down heading into Week 8, and once again, it’s rookie Shedeur Sanders at the center of the conversation.
Drafted 144th overall, Sanders has drawn increasing support from fans and analysts calling for him to take over as the Browns’ starter. Yet the team continues to stick with fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, despite his uneven performances so far.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has made it clear that Gabriel isn’t on a short leash, casting doubt on when, or if, Sanders will get his shot this season. However, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees offered hope, sharing an encouraging update about Sanders’ progress and potential role.
What Did Tommy Rees Update on Shedeur Sanders’ Development?
The state of the Browns’ quarterback room has been a hot topic all season, especially concerning the placement of Gabriel and Sanders. The team is looking for answers after veteran QB Joe Flacco’s horrendous performance, which resulted in him getting traded to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Gabriel has started for three games, winning only one, in which he threw for just 116 yards, and was not on the field for three of the Browns’ four touchdowns. While it’s still early to label him a disappointment, he hasn’t done much to inspire confidence, and many believe Sanders could offer more upside.
While Stefanski has remained firm in his stance, showing no signs of turning the offense over to Sanders just yet, Rees struck a more optimistic tone this week, confirming that the rookie will most certainly get his shot at the starting job.
“There will be opportunities moving forward,” Rees said. “You want to put young quarterbacks in really positive situations where they can build confidence. Shedeur’s been working hard and knows he needs to be ready at a moment’s notice.”
Rees also emphasized the coaching staff’s responsibility in helping Sanders, and any young quarterback, succeed.
“We just gotta trust him, we got to put him in the right spots to see the coverage, trust what he’s seeing, let it go. That starts with the coaches. We gotta put him in the right position to make sure he has confidence in those plays.”
Interestingly, Rees noted that Sanders has shown confidence and aggressiveness right from the start of the training camp, saying the rookie has never been “trigger shy,” a comment that raises further questions about why he hasn’t yet been given a real opportunity to start.
Meanwhile, Cleveland’s offense continues to struggle, ranking 31st in PFSN’s Offensive Impact metric and trending downward. The pressure is mounting on Gabriel, and with a crucial matchup against the New England Patriots looming, a poor performance could finally force Stefanski to reconsider his quarterback plan heading into the bye week.
