Shedeur Sanders' case has just received a strong endorsement. At a time when Deshaun Watson looks like the favorite to be QB1, Browns legend Joe Thomas called for patience around Sanders.

The conversation started when the host asked Thomas on The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima if Sanders should be traded if he isn't QB1.

“Shedeur was forced into action in the middle of last year before he was ready. He had some high moments and some low moments, as you’d expect from any quarterback. He’s a development project.”

Thomas referred to the limited practice snaps Sanders had received through the first half of the season. And when Kevin Stefanski asked him to get on the field against the Baltimore Ravens when Dillon Gabriel was injured, Sanders could not perform.

Shedeur managed to complete just 4 out of his 16 passes. In addition to just 47 yards, Sanders took two sacks and was intercepted once. However, with time, Sanders improved, managing 1,400 yards and 8 scrimmage touchdowns across 8 games.

The conversation around the young QB has intensified since head coach Todd Monken hasn't named a starting QB between Sanders and Watson. Speculations started soon after that the Browns would pick the veteran for the job, and the 24-year-old would be traded. 

ESPN Cleveland Radio host Tony Rizzo added to those speculations by reporting that calls have been made asking about the availability of Sanders.

However, Thomas believes that's the wrong move, unless they get a lot of value for Sanders. "If someone's going to give you a first-round draft choice for him, yeah, maybe then you want to trade him. If you're just going to throw him for a fourth rounder or lower, it makes no sense whatsoever because we have no idea what he can be as our starting quarterback."

Thomas has a point. Sanders needs time to develop. Last year, once he spent some time as QB1, he was able to post over 350 yards and 3 touchdowns in a single game. Perhaps with more game time and experience, he can do even better.

For now, Sanders has drawn praise at the OTAs from coaches for his improved command of the offense, decision-making, and pre-snap recognition.

The Browns now face a serious question of who their QB1 will be, as both Sanders and Watson have been steadily making progress. Monken hopes to make the call during training camp or after the preseason games. And that approach has received approval from Thomas.

Joe Thomas backs Monken’s approach to Browns QB1 battle

Thomas made his thoughts known about Monken’s QB1 assessment between Sanders and Watson. He agreed with the head coach’s decision to take more time to better understand how Sanders and Watson would fit into his offense. 

“For coach Monken, he really just wants to see this offense develop and what the chemistry looks like and what the decision-making looks like within his offense for both QBs before he really hangs his hat on one guy and starts giving that player the majority of their reps,” said Thomas on ESPN Cleveland on 25 June.

Thomas added that it was obvious after the spring workouts that the Browns weren’t clear about the QB position yet.

Thomas concluded by saying that Monken is making the right decision by letting the QB1 battle play out for a longer time before he chooses Sanders or Watson as the Browns' starter for the upcoming season. 

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar