The Cleveland Browns called their quarterback an "open" competition heading into Training Camp, with four players set to compete for the position. If the early days of camp are any indication, former Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders is not seen as a legitimate contender in the competition by the Browns coaching staff.
Sanders has received limited reps thus far, none of which have come with the first team. On Thursday, Sanders got on the field for only four total snaps, and those snaps came near the end of practice and with the third-team offense.
Based on snaps, it looks like Kenny Pickett is well out in front of the QB competition and is in line to start. Fellow veteran Joe Flacco is unlikely to make the roster, and rookie Dillon Gabriel seems to be in line to be Pickett's backup.
Browns fans want Shedeur Sanders to get a legitimate shot in Training Camp
In response to a post on X by The Dawgs Podcast stating that Sanders only received four reps on Thursday, Browns fans went off about it:
Look, the Browns owe Shedeur Sanders nothing. No one is saying to hand him the job. But stripping him of real opportunities while pretending it is a fair competition? They are not even pretending. This is not a quarterback battle. It is a staged rehearsal with a script already…
— The Source (@TheSource25) July 25, 2025
That post continues calling what the Browns are doing with Sanders is "box-checking" and not development. It was never going to be easy to try and develop two rookie quarterbacks at the same time. There are limited reps available in Training Camp to go around, and Cleveland pretty clearly favors Gabriel, the guy they drafted two full rounds ahead of Sanders in April.
It's why the best path forward for Sanders could come via trade.
This is the time you should find out what rookies can be. I don't understand not giving enough reps to Sanders
— LL (@Lynne_122) July 24, 2025
It's a fair question, though it is still early in camp. We're only a few days in, and Sanders could see increased reps as time goes on. He just has to take full advantage of the limited opportunities he sees early on to prove he deserves more.
Nice rigged competition
— Veek (@Veek321) July 25, 2025
It is curious that the Browns would call it an open competition when virtually all the 11-on-11 first team reps have gone to Pickett so far.
Why did they draft this kid? Terrible situation.
— Maxwell Tinsley (@MaxwellBTinsley) July 25, 2025
Sanders always felt like one of those picks where there was dissent between the coaching staff and upper management. Upper management likely made the call to pull the trigger on Sanders in the fifth round, but it puts the Colorado legend in a precarious position with the Browns prioritizing another rookie over him.
Terrible management. Not even about him. But as a franchise who is looking for franchise qb. You are not willing to give him an equal chance. Even if he turns out not good. Let's see
— DD🩷 (@lindaa309) July 25, 2025
This is a fair point. Flacco is over the hill and has been a turnover machine the last two seasons. Cleveland's affinity for Pickett is curious, considering how quickly the rival Steelers gave up on him despite him being a first-round pick.
It seems unlikely that the Browns are going to be very good in 2025, so why not try and see what you have with Gabriel and Sanders this season to determine whether or not you need to prioritize a QB at the top of the 2026 draft?