In his highly anticipated NFL debut against the Carolina Panthers two weeks ago, Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders showed promising potential; however, on Saturday afternoon against the Los Angeles Rams at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, it was a different story.
Sanders, who played in the second half, except for the final drive, where Tyler Huntley replaced him, completed only 3-of-6 passes for 14 yards, and he was sacked five times.
Huntley would put the Browns in position to get a game-winning field goal as they defeated the Rams 19-17.
After the game, Sanders says he needs to continue to improve.
“Obviously, I feel like I can improve in a lot of areas, like the same thing I said last time,” he said. “I’m just excited for the opportunity to get out there and play.”
With the Browns trailing the Rams 17-16 late in the fourth quarter, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski decided to pull Sanders and go with Huntley, which he was questioned about following the win.
“Yeah, obviously we didn’t play great as an offense in the second half,’ Stefanski said. That’s never on one person. So we can be better in a bunch of areas and just felt like we wanted to give Snoop (Tyler Huntley) a last drive.”
Sanders, who missed the team’s last preseason game due to an oblique injury, like any player, wanted to finish the game.
“I mean, it wasn’t my decision,” Sanders said. “Of course, that’s every quarterback’s dream, and that’s what every quarterback thrives for – those moments, so it wasn’t me. I was happy that (QB Tyler) Huntley got in, and he handled his business. If anybody else would do it, it would be him.”
The 23-year-old Sanders was a fifth-round pick, and fifth-rounders get cut in the NFL. However, Browns GM Andrew Berry said the team is looking to keep four quarterbacks, so that means Sanders probably will make the team.
According to Sanders, he has done enough to secure his spot on the team.
“Obviously. I think, overall, as a player, I’ve put in the work,” he said. “I feel like everything I do, I try to do it to my best, and that’s all I can ask for. I feel like everybody feels like they should be on the team. If you ask anybody on the team, would they feel like they belong – they belong in their own eyes. I feel like I do, but I’m my own player. I think about myself in a high regard, of course. It’s not my decision.”
To his credit, Cleveland’s other rookie quarterback, Dillon Gabriel(12/19, 129 yards, TD), who played most of the first half after relieving starter Joe Flacco, was solid against the Rams. When the season begins, Gabriel will probably be the team’s backup quarterback, and again, to his credit, he’s earned it.
Look, Sanders did not play well on Saturday. He took some bad sacks, and the offense lacked rhythm. You can’t read too much into what we saw today. He was playing with guys who may not be in the NFL in the coming days.
Sanders should make the team, but we’ll see what role he has in the regular season.
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