The Cleveland Browns are still trying to figure out exactly how they will handle their current QB battle. For now, former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick believes Joe Flacco will get the starting nod.
“If I was a betting man, Joe Flacco is gonna go into the year as the starter,” Fitzpatrick said. “He has history there, he has success there, and I think it’s a great story. He’s a guy that’ll bring calm, he’s the guy that’s going to be able to get them off on the right foot.”
As for rookie Shedeur Sanders, he was labeled a camp body when he was first drafted—a label started by Emmanuel Acho.
“The reality for Shedeur Sanders is this: As a 5th round pick, it rarely matters how talented you are, you may never even get the opportunity to win the starting job,” Acho said. “Sometimes as a 5th, 6th, 7th round pick, they are already cutting you. You are a camp body, you are there for training camp.”
This harsh reality seems to be reflected in Sanders throwing passes to staff members rather than receivers.
“Shedeur Sanders apparently is throwing not to receivers but to equipment guys. They have got equipment guys snapping him the ball and then also running the routes. Mahomes is throwing to Kelce, Shedeur is throwing to equipment guys,” ESPN Cleveland’s Aaron Goldhammer said.
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Meanwhile, 92.3 The Fan’s Nick Pedone wants the Browns to start Sanders for at least one game, and if he performs well, Pedone believes it’s time to take the training wheels off.
“Doesn’t it feel like that they’ve got the training wheels on Shedeur Sanders? If he balls out (in preseason), the Browns are not going to be able to continue hide,” Pedone wrote.
Sanders will surely get at least one opportunity to prove himself, and if he makes the most of it, it may be time for the Browns to take him seriously. Sanders has maintained a positive attitude throughout the situation. If he proves himself, it may be time for the Browns to stop hiding him.