The Cleveland Browns have stood strong through a storm of almost believable rumors ever since they drafted two QBs in the 2025 NFL Draft. What’s another one?
ESPN’s Tony Rizzo confessed Thursday about one of the things he heard about Browns third-string QB Shedeur Sanders. According to him, Sanders was sitting on the bench with a clipboard in hand, not even getting reps with the scouting team.
The Browns had been involved in a lot of rumors involving them not treating Sanders fairly and not giving him enough reps throughout the offseason. It’s why this rumor spread like wildfire in no time.
And just like earlier, the Browns shrewdly shut down the rumors when they got a chance.
Billy Musgrave Clears the Air Around Shedeur Sanders
Browns QB Coach Billy Musgrave put his foot down during his recent press conference appearance on the rumors of the Browns sitting Sanders out during practice.
Instead of addressing the rumors upfront, Musgrave cleverly shared their practice plan to face the Ravens in the Week 2 matchup. The Browns are utilizing their crowded QB room to emulate Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s play to prepare their defense to face him this Saturday.
Backup QBs Dillon Gabriel, Bailey Zappe, and Sanders have all been leading the scout team to help the Browns’ defense.
“We’re doing some things to replicate Baltimore’s quarterback Lamar (Jackson) this week with all three guys to really give the defense a good look,” Musgrave said via ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi.
“Being a scout team quarterback, you’re working on your own craft, but really it’s an art form to replicate the opponent so the defense can be ready to do their thing on Sunday.”
Shedeur Sanders is Preparing Team to Face the Ravens
This also came as a subtle statement from the Browns on their commitment to developing Sanders. After falling 17-16 against the Bengals in Week 1, they are not passing up on getting the best out of their fifth-round pick.
“It’s a little bit different, and it’s exciting because those guys do take pride in getting the defense ready,” Musgrave added.
“They want to do a good job replicating the opponent’s offense, and at the same time, they want to try and relate any play that they get to our game plan too, so they can feel like they can get a little bit of double duty there.”
If Sanders continues to impress during the practice sessions, he may get some game action down the road later in the season.
“The quarterbacks are trying to do their best.”
For now, a veteran Flacco will have the keys to their offense, at least until the Browns have playoff-contending teams lined up.
They face the Ravens in Week 2, followed by the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers through Week 6.
Until then, both Sanders and Zappe have time to brush up on their QB skills and keep them ready for whenever they need to step into a precarious situation.
The Browns travel to Maryland to take on the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Main Image: Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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