Recent numbers out of the Cleveland Browns’ OTAs show that Shedeur Sanders has been on fire.
The rookie quarterback dazzled onlookers with his sharp accuracy and decision-making, going 7-for-9 with three touchdowns and no interceptions on Day 2 alone.
He connected flawlessly with receivers like Gage Larvadain and Brenden Bates, dropping pinpoint throws in tight coverage that left even skeptics impressed.
But while the highlight reel throws have social media buzzing, not everyone is ready to crown Sanders just yet.
NFL analyst Tom Pelissero suggested that Sanders’ early dominance may be due to the controlled, low-pressure environment of the OTAs, where defenses are limited and players aren’t in pads. He warned that training camp, with its full-speed intensity and complex defensive looks, will be a much tougher test of the rookie’s true readiness.
Why Shedeur is Thriving at the OTAs
Tom Pelissero recently shed light on why Shedeur Sanders has looked so sharp at OTAs and why it’s important to keep things in perspective.
“There’s no pass rush. Really no pass rush,” Pelissero emphasized, noting that OTAs offer a controlled environment where quarterbacks can operate without the pressure of live defenders.
In such conditions, he explained, “You’re trying to play within rhythm. It’s going to be a guy who’s really, really accurate, and Shedeur absolutely is.”
That rhythm-based format naturally favors quarterbacks like Sanders, who excel at timing throws and reading routes cleanly.
But while Sanders’ accuracy stands out now, Pelissero pointed out that the real test will come later. “Real questions are going to be if Shedeur or Dillon Gabriel, if two guys who are drafted outside of round one… are not in the mix to start,” he said.
He added that it wouldn’t be shocking to see either quarterback stay in the conversation: “Certainly not round three or later, which both these guys are, would not surprise me if they’re at least alive… you’re talking about 40-year-old Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett as the other guys in the room.”
Still, Pelissero concluded, “Let’s see where we are as we get into training camp. Let’s see how the reps are divided up.”
Pelissero Says Training Camp Is the Real Test
While Shedeur Sanders has impressed so far, NFL analyst Tom Pelissero made it clear that the real evaluation begins later.
“It’ll start to matter once you get into the training camp because that’s a limited number of reps. You’re trying to not just figure out who your quarterback is going to be, but how do you build the rhythm, and timing, and tempo in the passing game.”
Unlike the OTAs, training camp brings real defensive pressure, which forces quarterbacks to rely on instincts and decision-making under duress. That’s where a quarterback’s true readiness is revealed.
Pelissero also emphasized how training camp reps can indicate a team’s leanings. “If it’s all Joe Flacco with the ones as we get through the first couple of weeks of training camp and into the preseason, then that would probably be a pretty strong sign they are going to go with what everybody has thought all along would be the option.”
Still, there’s room for surprises. “If suddenly we see these other quarterbacks are getting opportunities, you know, maybe they’re more open-minded than perhaps it might have seemed on paper.”
Sanders may have a shot, but he’ll have to prove himself when the real heat kicks in.
Also Read: Did Shedeur Sanders Graduate From College?