Shedeur Sanders' Limited Playing Time Sparks Debate

The limited playing time of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has become one of the most debated topics among Cleveland Browns fans and analysts, especially following his pre-2025 NFL Draft hype. According to Dawgs By Nature, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and his staff have been indicating that Sanders isn't ready for significant playing time yet, and they will utilize him when he is prepared.

Fans and analysts have expressed frustration regarding his lack of first-team reps during the summer and preseason. However, the real issue appears to be Sanders' on-field processing abilities. Over the past two games, it has become increasingly clear that he struggles to recognize open targets, instead opting for the riskier option of attempting deep throws.

In the recent game against the San Francisco 49ers, there were at least six instances where Sanders had opportunities to complete easy 6-10 yard passes but instead held onto the ball, resulting in either sacks or turnover-worthy throws.

The report highlights that Sanders seems to have a habit from his college days of failing to see these wide-open opportunities, perhaps due to a desire to make bigger plays. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is doing his best to simplify reads for Sanders, especially between the 20s, but the rookie is reportedly only reading the field correctly about half of the time.

This raises concerns as it suggests fundamental issues with his understanding of route combinations and defensive coverages. For example, he missed a crucial read on a standard Ohio combo with receiver Jerry Jeudy, which reportedly led to Jeudy's visible frustration.

While Sanders possesses impressive arm talent and pocket awareness, the inability to process plays effectively could hinder his development and the team's success. The overarching conclusion from the analysis is that despite the physical attributes that make Sanders a highly regarded quarterback prospect, his mental processing needs significant improvement if he is to thrive in the NFL.

The Browns' approach to developing Sanders will be crucial, as fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the organization plans to address these challenges moving forward.