‘Doesn’t look good’ as forgotten man threatens Browns rise and Shedeur Sanders could pay price

Shedeur Sanders has managed to keep the QB1 battle going, but the hype train might be running out of steam.

Deshaun Watson was expected to be named the Cleveland Browns starter by the end of minicamp, only to see his young rival come on leaps and bounds to extend the race.

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General manager Andrew Berry described Sanders’ growth as “phenomenal” and new head coach Todd Monken appears to agree.

But Browns reporter Anthony Lima isn’t convinced.

“I’m not saying Shedeur can’t get better; I’m just saying it doesn’t look good,” he said on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland. “There are a lot of indicators. He’s got a lot to overcome.

“You just telling me he has similar stats to Hall of Fame QBs, I can do that with every QB that plays.”

Sanders won three of his seven starts after rising from fourth on the depth chart to starter, seeing off Kenny Pickett in pre-season and Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel during the campaign.

He even made the Pro Bowl after several others pulled out, but a his completion rate of 56.6 percent and 10 interceptions against seven touchdown passes is nothing to shout about.

On the plus side, even Josh Allen, Peyton Manning, and Troy Aikman struggled early and the Browns added wideouts KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston in the draft, while retooling an awful offensive line.

Dillon Gabriel still in Browns race

Reports from within the organization have been positive.

“[Sanders’] progress has been impressive,” Browns offensive coordinator Travis Switzer said. “Just his ability to move through progressions.

“His feet are getting more urgent, and he’s ready to throw when he needs to more consistently. We can continue to grow there, but his progress has been impressive.”

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Fellow rookie Gabriel struggled even more than Sanders, who ultimately replaced him, but ESPN’s Ryan Yates doesn’t think he can be ruled out just yet.

“This is the truest quarterback competition in the NFL,” he said. “What I mean by that is whoever performs best in training camp should be the week one starter.

“There are other quarterback competitions where, if you have a young quarterback and he narrowly outperforms the veteran quarterback in training camp, I still would lean on the veteran early in the season to alleviate some of the pressure on a young player in Cleveland.

“Whether it’s Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, maybe even Dillon Gabriel, whichever one performed best in training camp should be on the field for that opening week.”

After a humiliating slide into the fifth round, Sanders carried himself impeccably early in his young NFL career.

No doubt guided by Hall of Fame dad Deion, he continues to say and do all the right things.

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“I’m focused on developing as a player, doing everything, getting as comfortable as I can in the offense and the scheme, and playing with confidence,” the 24-year-old said recently. “That’s all I’m really looking for and trying to improve every day.”

Unfortunately for Sanders, the Browns did not invest $230 million in him like Watson, with owner Jimmy Haslam keen to get as much as he can out of his money.

The vet has been working with his private physical therapist and private QBs coach at the team facility, per beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot, and is trying to save his own NFL future as he enters the final year of his deal

“I’m trying to play a full season, man,” Watson said during minicamp. “I’m just trying to be healthy so I can play all 17-plus games. I don’t know what’s going to happen at that time.”

As it is the Browns, don’t rule out developmental sixth-round flier Taylen Green somehow starting a game or two.

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