The Browns' quarterback competition has been simmering all offseason, and a crucial detail from early on has everyone in Cleveland buzzing. During a basic drill a few months back, Deshaun Watson executed everything 'crisply and cleanly,' showing the kind of precision you want from your starter. But then there was Shedeur Sanders, whose performance was reportedly 'lackadaisical,' especially when it came to the fake pitch. This isn't just some minor critique; it's a huge red flag in a battle for QB1.
Shedeur Sanders Is a Gamer, But That's Not Enough
Look, we all know Shedeur Sanders is a pure gamer. He performs when it absolutely counts. The guy has a switch, and he flips it. But according to the early offseason reports, that undeniable game-day intensity hasn't fully translated into the daily grind of practice. The drill itself was as fundamental as it gets: catch the snap, fake a pitch, drop back smoothly into passing position, then fire the ball. Watson apparently aced it, looking sharp and in control every step of the way. Sanders, though? He lacked that urgency, specifically on that fake pitch, making it look like less than a top priority. This situation isn't really about his raw talent or his ability to make plays once the whistle blows. It’s about whether he can truly 'embrace the process of checking various boxes in practice,' every single time. That's exactly where the new Browns coach, Todd Monken, has reportedly stepped in, trying his 'damnedest' to get Shedeur to buy into that crucial daily commitment.The Training Camp Test Is Next
Initially, the word around the league was that Watson had a clear lead in the race for the starting QB1 role. But then, as the offseason program started winding down, there were promising signs. Shedeur, it seemed, was finally 'making progress.' My best guess here, drawing from all the chatter, is that Coach Monken pulled Shedeur aside for a real talk. He probably explained that you can't just wait until game day to 'flip the switch' and expect to lead an NFL offense. He needs to earn that right, that precious opportunity, by doing all the 'little things' with focus and precision, even when it's just a practice situation and not a live game. If that theory holds true, and Monken's message resonated, then it 'may have worked.' Sanders did start to show improvement. The ultimate 'test will be training camp,' which is just around the corner. Every rep, every drill, every decision in practice will be under the microscope. This isn't just some casual walkthrough; this is about who earns the right to take the field as the starter for the Cleveland Browns. So, while we've seen glimmers of progress from Shedeur, the Browns' QB job is still very much up for grabs. Training camp is about to kick off, and that's when we'll truly find out if Shedeur Sanders has fully absorbed Coach Monken's message and is ready to bring that gamer intensity to every single, seemingly small, practice drill. It's going to be fascinating to watch this unfold, with the entire NFL watching to see who takes the reins in Cleveland.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.