The Cleveland Browns might be setting up Shedeur Sanders to become the starter by season's end, but Monday was a humbling experience for the rookie quarterback.
Fresh off a hot first start in the preseason, where Sanders went 14-of-23 passing for 138 yards and two touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers on Friday night, the Browns promptly sent the fifth-round pick right back down the pecking order at practice.
Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders was seen taking reps with the third-team offense at practice during 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills. Joe Flacco worked with the first team, and Dillon Gabriel earned reps with the second team.
Offense is cooking (x2). Sanders steps in with the 3s. First pass is a fade ball to Gage Larvadain in the back corner of the end zone and he comes down with the grab with a defender draped over him. https://t.co/0Ias3UHYEt
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) August 11, 2025
Before practice, Stefanski revealed that the Browns haven't decided on who would start against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday.
“I'm not there on the game itself," Stefanski said, per Oyefusi. "By Wednesday, Thursday, I'll have a better feel for the game and how we're going to handle that and I'll update you guys, but not there yet.”
Based on Gabriel working with the second team at practice, it appears Sanders is still behind the third-round pick on the depth chart.
The Browns used the excuse that Sanders had to practice with the equipment staff while Flacco, Pickett and Gabriel received reps with the first team because the former Colorado quarterback had to learn presnap procedures.
Sanders had no issues leading the huddle and getting the ball snapped against the Panthers. Still, the Browns are giving him reps with the third team during practice this week.
While Cleveland might be defensive about calling what it's doing to Sanders "sabotage," it's hard to argue that it is setting Deion Sanders' son up for success with the Browns.
Given the Browns have a circus of six quarterbacks on their roster, they shouldn't be afforded the benefit of the doubt.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!