The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation is one of the hottest topics in the NFL.
The Browns have two rookie quarterbacks in Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, but neither has exceeded expectations during their time as Cleveland’s starter. The former isn’t eligible to receive a ranking or grade from PFSN yet, but the latter ranks No. 41 among QBs with an impact grade of 51.4.
This, combined with Gabriel’s concussion, led to Sanders getting his opportunity to shine. However, a former NFL head coach believes fans are seeing more of the same level of play.
Former NFL Head Coach Gives Bold Take on Shedeur Sanders
Jay Gruden was the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive coordinator for three seasons before taking over as the Washington Commanders’ head coach from 2014 to 2019. So, it’s safe to say he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to quarterbacks.
On an episode of The Arena Gridiron podcast, Gruden shared a bold take about the QB battle between Sanders and Gabriel.
“The glaring things that I see wrong with Shedeur is his feet in the pocket are absolutely a train wreck. The reason why Jerry Jeudy got mad is not because he overthrew him. He missed him in the first window. He should’ve thrown it sooner. He should’ve been ready to throw it. Jerry would’ve caught it and run out the back door for a touchdown. Now Jerry shouldn’t have done that, I get that, but anyway, that’s why he was angry.”
The situation Gruden is referencing took place late in the game against the San Francisco 49ers, as there was an animated sideline exchange between Sanders and Jeudy that ended with Browns center Ethan Pocic moving the two apart. The two have since addressed and sorted through the exchange.
In Sanders’ three appearances, he has recorded 405 passing yards for two passing touchdowns and two interceptions.
Gruden continued, “His anticipation’s not there. When he’s asked to make a play with a concept other than the touchdown pass, which was a great throw, great play, he struggles with where his eyes are, where his feet are. He had a dagger wide open, threw the checkdown. He had Jerry Juedy on a sail cut [and] went right to the checkdown, so all the reasons you guys hated Dillon Gabriel because he went to the checkdown, we’re seeing the same thing.”
It seems the Browns intend to continue giving Sanders a chance to prove himself worthy of the starting job.
