It might be a bit misguided to call Shedeur Sanders misunderstood.
It’s also probably not wrong, though, and with the Cleveland Browns’ rookie quarterback involved in yet another bombastic rumor and take, it’s just another moment in time where Sanders’ football journey is getting viewed through the wrong lens.
Let’s start with the new rumor and take.
ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rizzo said this on his Wednesday show: “I’m hearing Shedeur isn’t even running scout team, he’s literally watching everyone… Why is he on the team, why is he here?”
Right off the bat, this misses the mark.
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The Browns have a practice squad quarterback, Bailey Zappe, whose job description almost certainly includes running the scout team in practice to simulate the other team’s plays.
Sanders, the QB3 behind Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel, isn’t meant to learn the opposition’s offense. He’s meant to learn Cleveland’s offense.
Right now, he’s got a great example out there in the 40-year old Super Bowl champion Flacco. He gains much more from watching him than from putting in reps to simulate Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
Also, an aside: This is a really bad week to make this point. Teams very often put non-QBs at quarterback for their scout team to try and emulate Jackson’s speed. Sanders, who didn’t inherit father Deion’s jets, would never be the stand-in for the two-time MVP.
And then there’s that question, “Why is he on the team? Why is he here?”
Sanders is in Cleveland because the Browns believe he can be an NFL quarterback. And if that sounds obvious, it apparently isn’t to everyone.
The Browns never would’ve used a fifth-round pick on the headline-grabbing Sanders, a mere 50 selections after already taking the QB Gabriel, if they didn’t think he was cut out for the league.
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There’s no way of knowing if Sanders has developed in the early going at the pace Cleveland has wanted him to. But it’s also September. He was drafted in late April. Sanders is on the team because even the best players often take time to percolate and grow. You can’t cut a guy after just a few months, not when you’ve made the decision to devote time and effort while knowing all the hype that surrounds him, too.
Sanders may become a starting NFL quarterback, or he may never climb higher than the No. 3 spot on the depth chart.
But believe it or not, the Browns surely have a well thought out development plan for their young quarterback. It’s kind of an important position in the NFL. They’re not just winging it.
It’s up to Sanders to embrace his current role, soak up as much knowledge as he can and be ready when he reaches the point in the plan to get a bigger opportunity.
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