Shedeur Sanders is leaning into Joe Flacco’s game to compete for a spot with the Cleveland Browns, admitting that he studies Flacco’s moves and has even sought guidance from the veteran during practice. The move comes as the rookie tries to climb a crowded quarterback depth chart that currently places him fourth.
Sanders has quickly picked up the pace in the NFL, absorbing as much knowledge as possible from his veteran teammates. He has become a visible presence in the Browns’ community, and his ambition to develop into a sustained NFL quarterback remains a focal point for the organization.
The quarterback room is crowded, with Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Sanders all in the mix for snaps. Health, however, has been a hurdle: Sanders is dealing with an oblique injury, while Pickett and Gabriel are dealing with hamstring issues. That leaves only Flacco and Tyler Huntley as the healthy options on the roster, a situation that has put additional emphasis on how the Browns manage the position heading into the season.
With the preseason advancing, Cleveland has emphasized the importance of practice context. The team spent time in joint sessions with the reigning NFL champions in Philadelphia, using those reps to sharpen execution in a competitive environment. Head coach Kevin Stefanski highlighted how joint practices give the Browns a chance to test different looks without the pressure of a real game, helping players prove what they can handle in varied scenarios.
“Yesterday gave us a chance to put players in positions to see what it looked like and how they’d handle specific situations,” Stefanski said. “For the most part, we found out some guys are going to be capable of doing certain things for us.” The Browns feel these sessions are valuable as they balance development for Sanders with trying to maximize a veteran-laden roster for Week 1.
Overall, Sanders’ willingness to mirror Flacco’s technique and learn from his veteran teammates reflects the Browns’ broader plan: mix youth with experience, maximize available reps, and see who can rise to the moment as the season approaches. If Sanders continues to soak up knowledge and stay healthy, he could emerge as a dynamic option in Cleveland’s evolving quarterback mix.
Summary: Sanders is actively learning from Flacco while navigating a tough, injury-tinged competition in a crowded Browns QB room, with joint practices providing practical reps as the team prepares for the season. A hopeful outlook centers on Sanders turning mentorship and practice into on-field progress.