As the NFL offseason continues, all eyes are on the Cleveland Browns and their highly anticipated rookie quarterback, Shedeur Sanders. The son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, Shedeur has been making headlines since being drafted by the Browns in the first round of this year’s draft.
But as the Browns’ training camp kicked off, it seems that head coach Kevin Stefanski is taking a cautious approach with the young quarterback. After a padded drill in June, Stefanski was asked about Shedeur’s development and gave a lukewarm response, saying, “He’s working. We want all our guys to keep stacking good days.”
This may come as a surprise to many, especially after Browns owner Jimmy Haslam’s recent admission that Shedeur is the future of the franchise. Haslam even went as far as saying that Shedeur has the potential to be one of the greatest quarterbacks in the league.
So why is Stefanski reportedly holding back Shedeur? Is he not living up to expectations? Or is there a bigger plan in place for the young quarterback?
First, it’s important to remember that Shedeur is just a rookie. Despite his impressive college career at Jackson State, he is still adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL game. It’s only natural for a rookie quarterback to have a learning curve, and it’s important for coaches to take a patient approach with their development.
Moreover, the Browns have a solid starting quarterback in Baker Mayfield. While Shedeur may be the future, Mayfield is the present, and the Browns are looking to win now. It’s understandable that Stefanski wants to prioritize the team’s success over the development of one player.
But that doesn’t mean that Shedeur is being completely held back. In fact, he has been receiving praise from his coaches and teammates for his work ethic and progress. Stefanski himself has acknowledged that Shedeur is working hard and is focused on improving every day.
And let’s not forget that Shedeur is just one piece of the puzzle for the Browns. They have a talented roster, and it takes more than just a star quarterback to win games. Stefanski knows this and is likely focused on building a strong team dynamic rather than putting all the pressure on one player.
It’s also worth noting that Shedeur is not the only rookie quarterback in the Browns’ camp. They also drafted Northwestern’s Peyton Ramsey in the sixth round, and he has been getting equal reps with Shedeur. This could be a sign that Stefanski is giving both quarterbacks a fair chance to compete for a backup role.
In the end, it’s important to trust in Stefanski’s decisions. He has proven to be a successful coach, leading the Browns to their first playoff appearance in 18 years last season. He knows what he’s doing and has a plan in place for Shedeur’s development.
So let’s not jump to conclusions and label Stefanski as holding back Shedeur. Instead, let’s trust in the process and have faith that the Browns are making the best decisions for their team and their future.
In the meantime, let’s continue to support Shedeur as he navigates his rookie season. He has all the tools to be a successful quarterback in the NFL, and with the right guidance and patience, he can reach his full potential.
As for Stefanski’s lukewarm endorsement, let’s not read too much into it. After all, he did say that he wants all his players to keep stacking good days. And that’s exactly what Shedeur is doing – working hard and improving every day. So let’s give him the time and space he needs to develop into the superstar quarterback we all know he can be.