Chedur Sanders is making a mark early in the Cleveland Browns’ training camp. However, that doesn’t mean he’s secured his place based solely on his initial performance.
Several insiders mentioned that Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has been particularly impressed with Dillon Gabriel, a third-round pick. Gabriel seems to be adapting to the offensive system quite swiftly, even with the steep learning curve he’s faced.
“The Browns’ head coach didn’t expect Sanders to grasp the entire playbook at the same pace as his rival quarterback during the mini-camp,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted in a recent segment.
ESPN Cleveland compiled stats from the OTAs and mini-camps, revealing that Sanders holds the highest completion rate among the four quarterbacks, notably outpacing Gabriel, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett.
Fowler pointed out that Sanders fell to the fifth round in the 2025 NFL Draft, a shift from predictions he’d go in the first round. Still, he didn’t take any reps with the first team throughout the camp, meaning he faced significantly less competitive pressure compared to the others.
During the OTAs and mini-camps, Sanders recorded a 53-41 ratio, with nine touchdowns and just one interception.
Judi Batista from NFL Media mentioned that Stefanski keeps a close eye on the processing speed and decision-making of the quarterbacks.
Batista also highlighted that Gabriel’s extensive college experience—spanning six years at Central Florida, Oklahoma, and Oregon—has granted him an edge in absorbing the offensive strategies.
According to NFL.com’s Tom Pellissero, the Browns may not retain all four quarterbacks after final roster cuts. This means either Sanders or Gabriel will need to land on the practice squad, or the team might part ways with Flacco or Pickett.
“It’s like we’re seeing Chedur’s second opportunity,” Pellissero speculated on whether Sanders will end up on the practice squad and perhaps get another shot with a different team.
The upcoming preseason is critical for both rookie quarterbacks, giving Sanders and Gabriel a chance to make an impression on other teams.
If all goes well, Sanders might distinguish himself enough to either rise on the Browns’ depth chart or find an opportunity elsewhere.
After his tenure at Jackson State, Sanders transitioned to Colorado, where he became a notable figure. He led the Boulders to a 13-12 record under coach Deon Sanders, alongside standout player Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner.
In his second and final season at Boulder, Sanders threw for 4,134 yards, achieving 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while maintaining a 74% completion rate.
