The high-stakes quarterback competition in Cleveland between veteran Deshaun Watson and second-year passer Shedeur Sanders has ignited debate across the league.
On ESPN’s “Get Up,” analyst Mike Greenberg argued that the Browns may not be giving Sanders a fair chance to develop, questioning Cleveland’s distribution of practice reps and suggesting it could limit his consistency and chemistry with the starting offense.
Browns’ Approach to Shedeur Sanders Questioned
Watson, who missed the 2025 season while recovering from an Achilles injury, started Cleveland’s preseason opener against the Chicago Bears. He completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards in the game.
Sanders is set to get the start in Preseason Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills. He has received some first-team reps during 11-on-11 practices, but Greenberg believes Cleveland should be giving him a bigger role if the team sees him as a potential starter.
“They’re not developing him like they’re trying to make him the starter, like he’s their guy going forward,” Greenberg said. “And that puts him, to your point, he’s not getting all the work, he’s not getting all the reps. He’s going to look like a young player because he’s not being treated like a guy they’re trying to develop.”
“They’re not developing him like they’re trying to make him the starter.” @Espngreeny shares his thoughts on how Shedeur Sanders is being treated by the Browns 🤔 pic.twitter.com/fbQheVDRU7
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) August 18, 2026
Sanders was selected in the fifth round, No. 144 overall, of the 2025 NFL Draft. Greenberg believes that draft status may have created a perception within the organization that the 24-year-old quarterback is more of a backup than a potential long-term starter.
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With Cleveland continuing to split first-team reps between Watson and Sanders, the young quarterback has fewer chances to build chemistry and rhythm with the starting offense.
At the same time, Watson has the advantage of experience and a significant financial commitment from the organization.
That creates an interesting dynamic heading into the second preseason game.
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Sanders’ start against Buffalo gives him another opportunity to change the conversation. A strong performance could put additional pressure on Cleveland’s coaching staff to give him more first-team opportunities.
For Greenberg, though, the bigger issue is how the Browns are developing their young quarterback.
If Cleveland genuinely believes Sanders can become its starter, giving him more consistent work with the first-team offense would make sense. Otherwise, the team risks judging him without giving him the same development opportunities as the quarterback it has already invested heavily in.
For now, Sanders has to make the most of the opportunities he receives.
His Preseason Week 2 start against the Bills could be another important step toward changing how the Browns view his future.
