“Prove all the people that passed on you wrong.” After selecting Shedeur Sanders as 144th pick, HC Kevin Stefanski had a simple yet strong message to the Colorado Buffaloes alum. Certainly, the rookie has been doing just that. During the Cleveland Browns minicamps and OTAs, Sanders sat quietly, soaking everything, until his name was called to practice with the fourth and fifth teams. In the two open OTAs, he had a QB room-best standing with 6 TDs on 16/23 completions and one interception. Now entering the final week of July, that message didn’t lose its ring.

Earlier this month, ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi already mentioned, “My opinion, Shedeur Sanders really did stand out. All of those skills that we talked about pre-draft–the poise, the accuracy from the pocket–we saw that.” And then, Sanders moving to Miami to sharpen his skills under his mentor since middle school, QB Coach Darrell Colbert Jr., only honed his potential.

The HC too agreed, “He’s a very, very hard worker; he has fun when he’s in the building. I’m enjoying watching him progress.” Still, he comes after Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel despite being a high-upside developing talent. While Sanders shrugged off because his practice routines are “not in my control.” Still, we’re seeing some fresh energy from him as the training camp’s Friday clips show.

Dime after dime after dime, he threw for 3TDs today. One of those TDs was especially brilliant. A glance to the left, blocked. To the right, Diontae Johnson runs behind. And bang. Right on the money. It landed in Johnson’s hands before he even knew it. Oohhs and Aaahhs filled the field as Johnson scored the touchdown. “Accuracy and ball placement,” it read under strengths on Shedeur’s scouting profile, and he showed every bit of that today.

The coaches expressed their admiration, but Stefanski refused to budge, saying, “Can’t promise any changes to the rotation going into Monday.” Pickett made 2, Gabriel made 1, and Flacco, on the other hand, didn’t make any. Still, Shedeur will still play at the end of the chart. However, if he can continue to put up numbers the way he has today, with 8/11 completions and 3 TDs, it’s only a matter of time before Shedeur forces Stefanski’s hand.

While nothing is set in stone, the chances of a change are slim. It’ll take a couple more days, like the one Shedeur has had today, to change his mind. And there is still time. He is already building great chemistry with his receivers. Particularly Johnson, who got a TD today. However, for Johnson, his QB 1 is actually someone else.

Johnson chooses Pickett over Shedeur Sanders

While the Sanders-Johnson pair is blowing up, Johnson already has another quarterback on the Browns’ roster whom he trusts– Kenny Pickett. Johnson has even come out and publicly voiced his confidence in Pickett as the starting quarterback. “I think they are probably going to roll with him (Pickett) just to see like he’s coming off a season with Philly and having a Super Bowl. Then, you know they can live with Joe and what he brings to the table.” A Super Bowl can indeed be a game-changer in these things, despite the experience is low.

However, Pickett didn’t make the cut to start week 1. That privilege goes to Flacco, who couldn’t contribute any touchdowns in camp today. While Pickett is likely to start games once the regular season begins, it will be worth watching how quickly he is made to start. He and Johnson linking up will be a throwback to 2023. After all, they did play two seasons together with the Steelers in 2022 and 2023. So they both have a chemistry they’ve developed before their Browns days.

It’s not just Johnson who has shown his confidence in Pickett, but the feelings are mutual. Back from their Steelers days, Pickett described Johnson as “a really smart player and he knows how much time he has to get open. He has the best stop-go ability I think I’ve ever seen. The way he can just put the brakes on at full speed and get in and out of cuts, no matter what DB that we’ve ever gone against this season.” 

This is a partnership formed through multiple reps and hours of conversation. We can’t wait for when Kenny is the one throwing to Johnson. But for now, Shedeur Sanders is certainly in the race.