With Shedeur Sanders' cemented as the Cleveland Browns starting QB for the rest of the 2025 season, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees sees plenty of growth from the rookie QB
Shedeur Sanders' road to becoming the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns has been a highly scrutinized and debated one.
At its core, though, is a rookie quarterback who has shown great growth since his arrival via the NFL Draft in April. That growth has been on full display throughout his first three starts. It's also the reason head coach Kevin Stefanski declared Sanders the starter for the Browns' final four games.
So, where has Sanders improved the most in his first NFL season?
"The overall improvement of our footwork and our understanding – what footwork applies to what concepts and our ability to work through progressions," offensive coordinator said of Sanders' development this week. "And he’s put a lot of work in these last few weeks to get ready to play these games. And you see the steps as he progresses, which is again what you’re after with your young players ... 'are they coachable? Are they applying some of the things that you’re trying to ask them to do?' And he has shown that."
Since being selected with pick No. 144 overall in the draft, Sanders' has been supremely focused on honing his craft in an effort to climb the depth chart and become the Browns starter. He was the No. 4 QB on the depth chart throughout the summer and during training camp. In Week 11 he took over for fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who left a matchup with the Ravens after suffering a concussion.
He's made the most of his opportunity, showcasing that improved pocket presence during his four total appearances. It culminated in the best outing of his young career this past weekend against the Tennessee Titans.
Despite losing the game, Sanders threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for a fourth score. He was the first rookie QB this season to throw for 300 yards in a game. His efforts nearly helped the Browns pull off an improbable comeback from down 14 with a little over 6 minutes to play.
"I thought he did a really nice job of moving in the pocket, stepping up in the pocket," Rees said of Sanders' performance. "He had some opportunities to step up and attack the defense, whether it was throwing the ball on the move. We hit Harold (Fannin Jr.) on a good one there in the two-minute, or climbing in the pocket and finding Jerry (Jeudy) on the end cut or climbing in the pocket and running with it needs be. I thought, those are signs of improvement in those areas."
For Sanders, it's been all about breaking certain habits and building chemistry with his weapons.
"I think footwork and I think all that ties into a lot," he said. "That ties into trust, that ties into knowing where you guys going to be. That ties into everything. So that's where you see the improvement because we had that leap of faith this week, this past week, with knowing that the receivers going to be in the right places.
"I'm just thankful that we built those relationships that quickly within the receiver room and within the team in the O line and everything. But we're not content."
One thing with Sanders is that he's never complacent. Even after being named the starter for the rest of the season, he wouldn't allow himself to look too far ahead. He's taking a game-by-game approach to his development as he hopes to convince the organization that he can be "the guy" beyond this season.
"What you’re after with all your players, specifically the young guys are the things that you’re trying to ask them to do and are the things that you’re focused on being accomplished," Rees said. "Credit to him and credit to Coach Mus (Bill Musgrave) for continuing to get him ready to play.”