Earlier in the Browns' offseason program, much of the discussion around the quarterback competition focused on Deshaun Watson maintaining the upper hand. After OTAs and mandatory minicamp, however, the conversation around Shedeur Sanders has started to shift.

During his recent livestream on YouTube, Garrett Bush of the Barbershop show shared his take on Sanders’ progress and changing narratives around him after the OTAs. 

“Prior to the OTAs and the minicamp, Sanders' name would’ve never been on that list,” said Garrett Bush. “...we are now morphing into what we need to transition and pivot because now there’s a real chance that his dude might actually be one of them.”

Bush shared a graphic on "Browns Notable Young Talent" which featured Spencer Fano, Quinshon Judkins, Jared Verse, Harold Fannin Jr., Carson Schwesinger, KC Concepcion, Mason Graham, Denzel Boston, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren alongside Sanders.

Bush added that the national media and the local media never considered Sanders a part of the core team. Sanders has increasingly been mentioned as a legitimate contender in the QB battle as positive reports continue to emerge.

Per Ryan O'Leary of Dawg Pound Daily, Sanders was written off in the QB1 competition as Watson displayed a firmer grip of Monken’s offense strategy.

After the completion of the Browns’ spring offseason program at the mandatory minicamp, the reports have changed in Sanders’ favor, especially regarding his footwork and processing.

Rafael Zamorano of the Cleveland Browns on SI revealed that Sanders was the first QB up with the starters on the first day of the mandatory minicamp, ahead of Watson.

O’Leary concluded by saying that at this pace, the young QB has a “real chance” of flipping the narrative about what once felt like a one-sided QB1 competition. The proof came about when Monken put in a good word or two for Sanders.

Coach Monken Praises Sanders on His Progress

Sanders’ progress during the OTAs and the mandatory minicamp wasn’t lost on Monken, who praised the QB on the final day of the minicamp. He appreciated Sanders for becoming more decisive during the offseason. 

“It just feels like he’s making quicker decisions,” said Monken on June 11. “The ball’s coming out of his hands, which he’s gonna have to do… His ability to process quicker and get the ball out of his hands and eliminate lost yards plays is gonna be huge for us to be able to snap plays and score.”

Per Browns’ insider Nick Pedone, Watson has shown inconsistencies and incompletions while Sanders is improving and connecting better with wide receivers KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, and Isaiah Bond. 

With training camp approaching, Sanders has positioned himself more firmly in the quarterback conversation than many expected earlier in the offseason. Whether that momentum carries into the QB1 battle remains one of the Browns' biggest storylines heading into July.

Do you think Shedeur Sanders will be able to carry his offseason momentum into training camp?

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Rudra Dubey