The Cleveland Browns offered an explanation after Shedeur Sanders received far fewer opportunities than expected during Saturday’s practice.
Sanders was scheduled to work with the starting offense after alternating first-team days with Deshaun Watson throughout training camp. Instead, Watson handled almost all of the work with the starters, while Sanders shared second-team reps with Dillon Gabriel.
A Browns spokesperson said there were specific personnel groupings head coach Todd Monken wanted to evaluate with Watson, which led to the unexpected adjustment.
Monken has not directly addressed the change. He spoke before practice and gave no indication that Sanders’ workload would be significantly reduced.
“[Deshaun] might end up with a 7-on-7 [rep with the 1s] … but Shedeur will take the majority of the 1 reps today,” Monken said before the session.
That plan did not materialize. Watson instead received 34 passing opportunities, compared to 20 for Sanders and 12 for Gabriel, per ESPN Cleveland’s QB tracker.
Shedeur Sanders Losing Ground in Browns QB Race
Watson taking over the first-team offense was not the only notable development for Sanders. Gabriel also received an extended look with the second team and led the unit during the final period of practice. That left Sanders without the exclusive No. 2 role after he entered the day expecting to run the starting offense.
“Dillon Gabriel led the 2s to end the period,” ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi wrote on X. “Significant reduction in reps for Shedeur Sanders on a day when he was supposed to run the No. 1 offense.”
Monken has praised Gabriel throughout camp and said the second-year quarterback earned a larger workload. Gabriel started six games as a rookie, completing 59.5% of his passes for 937 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions.
Sanders went 3-4 in seven starts last season. He threw for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 56.6% of his passes.
Browns Closing In on Preseason QB Decision
GettyCleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken during a training camp practice.
The timing of the adjustment makes it particularly significant. Monken and his staff are preparing to decide who will start the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on August 15. The decision is expected by Monday.
“We’ll start to really focus in on who’s going to start, how we’re going to play our guys, and where we’re at at quarterback’s a piece of that,” Monken said before Saturday’s practice. “Actually the first game it’ll be who we think to start off with gives us the best chance to function, score the most points.”
The Browns have maintained that Watson and Sanders will each receive significant opportunities during the preseason. But Saturday marked the clearest departure from the balanced rotation Monken had used throughout training camp.
Monken has also acknowledged that the plan to give each quarterback a preseason start could change based on how the competition unfolds in practice.
Until Monken provides a fuller explanation, Sanders’ reduced workload will be viewed as a potential demotion with the Browns rapidly approaching their first major decision in the quarterback competition.
Browns Address Shedeur Sanders’ Suddenly Reduced Role