Cleveland.com gives promising update on ex-CU Buff Shedeur Sanders after facing Browns’ first-team defense

Shedeur Sanders may finally be making headway in the Cleveland Browns’ four-man quarterback competition.

On Wednesday, the “Grown QB” got his first reps against the Browns’ first-team defense. Sanders impressed, showing a firm grasp on Kevin Stefanski’s play-action-heavy offensive sets while throwing on the move.

Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, Dan Labbe, Scott Patsko, and Ashley Bastock conceded that Sanders has earned consideration to move up the depth chart following that performance.

“A significant shift in the Cleveland Browns quarterback competition emerged Wednesday when rookie Shedeur Sanders earned his first opportunity against the team’s starting defense — and made the most of it,” they wrote.

“While still working with the second-team offense, Sanders faced the daunting task of going against the Browns’ defensive starters, including Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II. It marked a critical step in his development and potential rise up the depth chart.”

Kenny Pickett’s hamstring injury opened the door for Sanders, and the CU Buffs record-breaker kicked it down on Wednesday. With everyone expecting him to fail, Shedeur showed that he could be a quick learner in a system that wildly varies from Pat Shurmur's in Boulder, Colorado.

Dillon Gabriel was expected to become the primary beneficiary of Pickett’s injury, but Sanders has flipped the narrative on its head. There are now four viable starting options in Berea.

If Sanders can continue his progress, perhaps his fall to the fifth round of the 2025 draft could prove to be the humbling experience needed to mold him into a starting-caliber NFL signal-caller.