Browns GM Andrew Berry evaluates Shedeur Sanders’ growth throughout preseason

With the preseason in the books, the Cleveland Browns will now evaluate their roster. One of their biggest decisions is at quarterback with four players in the room – including Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders got some run in the second half of Saturday’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams, though it was a rough performance for the former Colorado star. Still, Browns GM Andrew Berry said he likes what he’s seen from Sanders throughout training camp and the preseason.

As for the transition, Berry used an analogy to sum up the learning curve for a rookie. He compared the college scheme to an NFL system.

“He’s going from a college offensive system where… imagine you were fluent in English and now you have to learn Mandarin,” Berry said Saturday on the Browns’ broadcast, via The Washington Post’s Mark Maske.

Sanders got off to a strong start to preseason action in the opener. He completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns as Cleveland got the 30-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Saturday’s game against the Rams was a different sto ry, though, as he completed just 3-of-6 passes for 14 yards and took five sacks. Sanders left the game at the two-minute warning as Tyler Huntley finished things out.

Still, Berry said he’s encouraged by how Sanders has grown mentally throughout camp. He also sees more of a command of Kevin Stefanski’s offense, which is also encouraging.

“His growth, really since the spring on, you know, with the mental side of things, having command of the offense, has been real impressive,” Berry said.

Andrew Berry, Browns facing QB decision

With the preseason in the books, Sanders and the rest of the Browns quarterbacks – Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett – will wait to see just how many stay on the roster with the cut deadline loo ming. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler indicated the rookies are likely to stay put, but Cleveland could keep its options open with Pickett, though, considering he’s dealing with an injury.

“They’re close to finalizing their plans in the quarterback room,” Fowler said on SportsCenter . “They could keep four quarterbacks, but today could be a determining factor, depending on how it goes with the rookies. Joe Flacco will get some reps. They’re thinking 20 to 25 reps for the starters in the third preseason game, and then you go to Dillon Gabriel to get the second crack at it, the rookie third round pick, and then you got Shedeur Sanders. He will get some run. 

“Kenny Pickett’s still hurt, so he’s somewhere in this equation, but he’s been banged up for really the last month. So the question is, do the Browns carry him on the roster? (Do they) maybe put him on short term IR give him four weeks to start the season? But the feeling right now is they like how Gabriel and Sanders are developing. I don’t expect them to trade either one. They’re going to roll through the weekend, see what these guys can do, they like what they’re doing.”