Don’t be surprised if Shedeur Sanders finds himself starting under center in Cleveland sooner than anticipated. According to ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky on “Get Up,” Sanders is an ideal match for head coach Kevin Stefanski’s play-action-heavy offense, reminiscent of what the Browns implemented prior to Deshaun Watson’s arrival.
Orlovsky emphasizes that Sanders is tailored for the style of play that Stefanski favors. He pointed out that Sanders excels in a system that prioritizes under-center formations and play-action designs, which are pivotal for controlling the line of scrimmage and dissecting defensive schemes. “If this offense is going under Stefanski, at least the rumors of what it was a couple of years ago, he’s perfect for it,” Orlovsky noted.
Sanders brings a more traditional, pro-style quarterback skill set to Cleveland. His ability to gauge the defense and process information quickly allows him to excel in a structure that relies heavily on running plays and methodical breakdowns of opposing defenses. This contrasts starkly with quarterbacks who leverage their legs or spread out the defense in more dynamic schemes.
Orlovsky praised Sanders’ cognitive approach to the game, stating, “The way that he thinks, the way that he can see something on the board, take it to a walk-through, bring it to a practice—that’s what you want to see.”
Taking a look back at the Browns’ offensive trends, they utilized play-action on 25.5 percent of their passing plays during Stefanski’s inaugural season in 2020, placing them 11th in the league. However, that figure dropped significantly to just 18.3 percent in 2024, landing them among the bottom ten teams in that category with Watson and Jameis Winston largely at the helm.
The Browns selected Sanders in the fifth round with the 144th overall pick, even after they drafted Dillon Gabriel earlier in the same round at No. 94. They also have veteran quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett in the mix, making the quarterback room a competitive one.
Peter Schrager added an interesting note about Sanders’ draft stock. He mentioned that Sanders may have fallen due to his unique circumstances, having been coached solely by his father, Deion Sanders, throughout high school and college, and not having an agent or participating in the NFL Combine.
With only 13 teams carrying three quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster last season, it’s clear that the situation is one to watch closely. Orlovsky feels optimism for Sanders finding a clear path to playing time, especially with Watson potentially sidelined for the entirety of the season following multiple surgeries on his right Achilles tendon.
Meanwhile, Pickett is set to earn the most among Cleveland’s quarterbacks and is on a guaranteed contract, while Flacco holds a manageable cap hit of $2.85 million and could become a trade candidate if he doesn’t secure the starting position. The quarterback battle in camp between Sanders and Gabriel promises to be a compelling storyline as both look to avoid a spot on the practice squad.
