Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Browns Coach Sends Clear Message on Shedeur Sanders First-Team Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 7:39 PM ET

Shedeur Sanders, a projected top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, surprised the world after sliding to the fifth round, selected with the No. 144 pick by the Cleveland Browns.

After starting at quarterback in all four of his college seasons, two at Jackson State and two at Colorado, Sanders now finds himself competing for the starting job during his first organized team activities (OTAs).

With 2024 starter Deshaun Watson likely out all season with a torn Achilles, the Browns have four other quarterbacks who could be their Week 1 starter, including Sanders, fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.

However, two days into mandatory minicamp, Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski has chosen to give first-team reps to Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, while the two rookies have been working with the second team.

During the Brown's media availability on Tuesday, Stefanski was asked why Sanders wasn't receiving any reps with the first team offense. The sixth-year head coach claimed it's because Cleveland is in the "installation phase."

"Let's not look too much into who's out there and when," Stefanski said. "We're in installation phase, we're in teaching phase, so not much to look into... It's the offseason. It's OTAs, so we're going to keep the focus there. Once you get into training camp, of course, you're getting ready to play games and ultimately getting ready to play the season. But right now, that's not our focus."

Stefanski also mentioned that he is trying to find out what concepts his quarterbacks are comfortable with.

#Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is asked why isn’t Shedeur Sanders getting any reps with the first team offense. Sanders did get some work with the 2s Wednesday pic.twitter.com/v4ICCmYPKb
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) June 11, 2025

Sanders became one of the best players in college football during the 2024 season. In 13 games, he completed 353-of-477 passes for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while adding another four scores on the ground.

The Browns will open the regular season on September 7, hosting Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: