Browns rookie quarterback sits fourth on depth chart despite strong preseason debut performance
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders finds himself fourth on the depth chart behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel heading into Saturday’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams, sparking intense fan controversy over the positioning.
Despite completing 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the Browns’ preseason opener against Carolina, Sanders remains buried on the depth chart while Gabriel, who threw an interception and lost a fumble against Philadelphia, sits ahead of him.
Statistical Performance vs. Advanced Metrics
The positioning has sparked heated debate among Browns fans who point to Sanders’ superior statistical performance in his lone preseason appearance. While Sanders posted a clean stat line with two touchdowns and no turnovers against the Panthers, Gabriel’s outing against Philadelphia included both a pick-six and a fumble alongside his 13-of-18 completion rate for 143 yards.
However, advanced metrics tell a different story about coaching preferences. According to The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd, the Browns used pre-snap motion 45% of the time with Gabriel compared to just 31% with Sanders, suggesting greater trust in Gabriel’s ability to handle complex offensive concepts.
More tellingly, on third downs the disparity widened dramatically, with Gabriel receiving pre-snap motion on 63% of plays compared to Sanders’ 18%. Gabriel also completed 3-of-4 tight-window throws according to NextGen Stats, while Sanders went 0-for-4 in similar situations, indicating coaching staff concerns about his ability to execute in high-pressure moments.
The Draft Day Slide Mystery
Sanders’ current depth chart position becomes less surprising when considering his dramatic draft day fall. The quarterback who some analysts projected as a potential first-overall pick ultimately slid all the way to the fifth round, where Cleveland selected him at pick 144.
NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson recently revealed that “NFL teams were told not to draft Shedeur Sanders,” though the specific reasons behind such advice remain unclear. The warning suggests concerns beyond on-field performance may have influenced Sanders’ draft stock, potentially explaining why he fell so far despite his collegiate success at Colorado.
The mysterious nature of Sanders’ slide adds crucial context to his current situation in Cleveland, where the Browns may have viewed him as a developmental value pick rather than an immediate contributor despite his talent level.
“Entertainers vs. Competitors” Controversy
The quarterback dynamic became more complicated after Gabriel’s perceived slight during a CBS in-game interview, where he stated: “You know, there’s entertainers and there’s competitors, and I totally understand that. But my job is to compete.”
While Gabriel later clarified the “entertainers” comment was about media rather than Sanders, he still felt compelled to address it directly with his teammate during a plane ride following the game.
“He came up, he was like, ‘Nah bro, that wasn’t at you,’” Sanders told reporters Thursday. “I’m not tripping, regardless of whatever it was. Nobody’s words or anything affects me.”
Sanders demonstrated remarkable maturity in handling the situation, adding: “Do I feel like he did? I don’t know. And that’s not on me to sit here and be like, ‘Oh, he did; he didn’t.’ That’s not going to change my life in any way.”
Fan Frustration and Organizational Messaging
Browns supporters have expressed particular frustration with what they perceive as disingenuous messaging from the organization. Multiple fans criticized the team for marketing the quarterback battle as an open “competition” while the depth chart suggests predetermined preferences.
“What I find troubling is that, since OTAs, the Browns have disingenuously marketed this as a ‘competition,’ effectively asking the fanbase to disregard clear evidence to the contrary,” one fan commented online.
Another supporter questioned the evaluation process: “I can’t understand why they can’t see that Sanders is the better QB as far as play and personality.”
The sentiment reflects broader skepticism about whether Sanders is receiving a fair evaluation opportunity despite his impressive collegiate resume and superior preseason statistics.
Financial and Organizational Considerations
The depth chart positioning may reflect financial realities as much as performance evaluation. The Browns have significantly more money invested in veterans Flacco and Pickett, while Gabriel was selected in the third round compared to Sanders’ fifth-round position.
Cleveland appears committed to keeping all four quarterbacks on the roster through at least part of the season, with the trade deadline arriving November 4th. The team recognizes that Sanders would likely be claimed immediately if he hit waivers, making him too valuable to release despite his current depth chart position.
Looking Ahead to Saturday’s Showcase
Head coach Kevin Stefanski indicated that starters will play “20 to 25 plays” in Saturday’s preseason finale, with Sanders expected to receive his second preseason opportunity after missing the Philadelphia game with an oblique strain.
The rookie’s performance against the Rams could provide another crucial data point in the ongoing evaluation, though the organizational structure suggests Flacco will begin the season as starter with Gabriel positioned as the primary backup.
For Sanders, the focus remains on long-term development rather than immediate playing time. With Flacco serving as a bridge quarterback at this stage of his career, opportunities for the rookies will inevitably emerge as the season progresses.
The Bigger Picture
While fans may question the positioning, the Browns’ coaching staff appears to prioritize Gabriel’s demonstrated comfort with complex offensive concepts over Sanders’ superior statistical performance in limited action.
Sanders’ measured response to both the depth chart positioning and teammate controversy suggests he understands the marathon nature of NFL development regardless of initial placement. Whether the positioning reflects temporary development priorities or longer-term organizational preferences remains to be seen, but Saturday’s game represents a significant opportunity for Sanders to make his case.
