Cleveland Browns said to be 'manipulating' quarterback competition to hold back Shedeur Sanders

For the first time in his brief stint with the Cleveland Browns, Shedeur Sanders seems to be making some inroads in the four-way quarterback competition.

Kenny Pickett is out with an injury, Joe Flacco has looked his age, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel has compiled a few alarming sessions, struggling in the red zone and with taking care of the rock.

According to ESPN Cleveland's camp tracker, Shedeur has led the way in completion percentage and touchdowns thrown and has avoided throwing an interception.

Perhaps some of that eye-popping efficiency has to do with Shedeur getting a bulk of his work against the second- and third-string defense, failing to earn consistent snaps against the starting unit.

But at this point in the cycle, is that just sabotaging his development? Local radio host Tony Rizzo thinks the club is intentionally controlling the QB battle to limit Shedeur's ascension up the depth chart.

"They are manipulating this quarterback competition by not letting my guy (Shedeur) take reps with the 1s," Rizzo said. "There are people that believe he has to learn the playbook or he can't handle the huddle—I think that's garbage."

Shedeur was a fifth-round pick with maturity issues on and off the field, just avoiding being placed on the practice squad before September should be seen as an accomplishment.

Despite what some Cleveland rage-bait talking heads might think, Shedeur struggled throughout his time in Boulder, dissecting coverages and stepping up into a muddled pocket. Those could hinder any potential as a pro, and the coaching staff clearly agrees, given their caution with the 23-year-old.

Pretending Shedeur is dangerous, and it's vital that the franchise blocks out the noise and puts the Colorado product in a favorable position to succeed.