Less than a day after Chedur Sanders delivered an impressive NFL debut, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was cautious in addressing fans’ enthusiasm. When asked if Sanders would start with the first-team offense for their upcoming preseason game against Philadelphia next Saturday, Stefanski replied that they needed to assess injuries over the next few days and focus on quarterback development and reps from the recent game.
Sanders played almost three-quarters of the game in the Browns’ 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers last Friday, taking 45 snaps. He led three touchdown drives in ten series, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, with no turnovers by the Browns—a statistic that pleased many. Though Sanders is listed as the fourth-string quarterback and hadn’t practiced with the first string in the first three weeks, he got the start due to injuries sidelining Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel. Veteran Joe Fraco saw most of his work in a co-practice the previous Wednesday.
Despite his backup status, Sanders demonstrated he deserves a chance to compete for the starting role. The Browns will practice Monday, travel to Philadelphia Tuesday, and work out with the Eagles on Wednesday and Thursday. Sanders remains patient with the team’s development plan, maintaining a positive outlook since being picked 144th overall in the fifth round of the draft.
Sanders shared that while he can’t control everything, he aims to seize any opportunity, win games, and keep improving. The coaching staff also tested him in red zone and third-down situations, observing his performance in multiple series starting within the 10-yard line. Stefanski noted the importance of evaluating players under different game conditions, mentioning the use of diverse plays including a jet sweep for a touchdown to test the offense.
According to Next Gen stats, Sanders faced pressure on 12 of 27 dropbacks, completing 9 of 5 passes for 81 yards—including a 12-yard touchdown to Kaden Davis that put the Browns ahead 14-7 in the second quarter. Although sacked twice, he avoided significant issues with his scrambles. Sanders is considered one of the most accurate quarterbacks from this draft class, impressing with plays like his second touchdown pass to Davis and a 30-yard catch by Luke Floriaia near the sideline.
Stefanski emphasized the importance of translating practice field progress into game performance and mentioned that Floriea is dealing with a hamstring injury while defensive back Lamareon James is in concussion protocol.
Report by Associated Press.
Fan Take: Sanders’ strong preseason showing highlights the Browns’ exciting quarterback competition and offers fans hope for a dynamic future under center. This development could shake up the team’s depth chart and energize fans, signaling fresh talent ready to impact the NFL landscape.
