Shedeur Sanders has a flaw scouts and teammates can’t stop talking about: a slow release. This isn’t about arm strength, it’s about waiting too long, trusting a receiver to break free instead of firing on rhythm, and it might just decide if the Cleveland Browns ever let him run the show this season.
The Clock Is Ticking On Sanders’ Release
Retired Browns guard Joel Bitonio, who protected Sanders as a rookie, didn’t mince words. Bitonio walked away in June after an incredible 12 years, collecting eight Pro Bowls and seven All-Pro honors. So yeah, his read carries some serious weight. Bitonio said it straight: “As a lineman, it sucks, but if you’re taking over three seconds to throw in the league, like, I don’t care if you have five Joe Thomases in front of you. It is tough to handle.” Three seconds, man. That’s an eternity in the NFL pocket. The raw stats from last season back up the worry, too. Sanders threw for 1,400 yards, seven scores, and 10 picks, completing just 56.6% of his attempts. Defenders dropped him 23 times in just eight games and seven starts. The Browns went 3-4 with him leading the huddle. That’s just not gonna cut it long-term.
Highlight Plays Aren’t Everything For The Browns
While Sanders definitely showed growth from his rookie year, even Bitonio noted improvement, saying he looked “significantly better” in the preseason. But the same issues popped up: “time to throw and pocket awareness.” He makes big plays when guys are open, sure, but that “anticipation and time to throw” is still the soft spot. Browns offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s staff wants to sand down that improvising, off-script style that Sanders often wins with. Yeah, those scrambles create chunk gains, but they also invite the sacks and hits that kill drives and send a QB straight to the trainer’s room. Monken was blunt in June: “He’s being more decisive.” “It just feels like he’s making quicker decisions. The ball’s coming out of his hands, which he’s gonna have to do.” For the coaching staff, cutting down those lost-yardage snaps matters way more than any highlight throw. This isn’t about flash, it’s about efficiency.
The pressure is on, and the depth chart isn’t exactly a safety net. Rookie Taylen Green is sitting third on the 53-man roster, and Dillon Gabriel is out for at least four games, stuck on injured reserve with a back issue. The real wild card here is Deshaun Watson’s medical file. He’s only logged 19 appearances since 2022 and missed all of last season after two Achilles surgeries. If Watson’s body breaks down again, Sanders, a fifth-round pick from Colorado, steps right into that starting role, timing warts and all. He needs to speed up that decision-making, like, yesterday.
The Browns have some tough decisions ahead. Sanders has shown flashes, but if he wants the keys to the offense, he’s gotta prove he can get the ball out quicker. The clock is ticking, and the Browns are watching every beat.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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