It has become an odd pre season tradition in Cleveland for the Browns to go into Training Camp with 4 Quarterbacks and attempt to hype one or more of those QB's with the aspiration of trading one for a draft pick during the cut down to 53 man rosters.
Twice now they've tried and failed to move Tyler Huntley for one of those cherished 6th rounders. To add insult to injury, both times NFL GM's called their bluff, the Browns cut Huntley and surprise, he signed with division rival Baltimore who undoubtedly downloaded Huntley's knowledge of the Browns playbook.
This season it feels to me like the Browns are playing the same game again. It has been obvious for weeks that Deshaun Watson will be the starting QB this season. Even Todd Monken seemed to confirm that but suddenly the narrative changed. It's a battle between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson, ok yeah right... and now even Dillon Gabriel has earned more reps thanks to his “good work”.
Don't get me wrong, I like Shedeur. I see Brian Sipe when I watch Shedeur. Off the charts charisma and leadership and a gamer's mentality. The young man knows how to compete. But much like Brian Sipe, Shedeur needs seasoning, the kind that comes from sitting, practicing and learning. Brian Sipe basically sat for 3 full seasons from 1972 to 1973 on the taxi squad and 1974 as a backup before he started to flash anything near the brilliance he eventually displayed starting with a few flashes in 1975 and consistent good play until he peaked as NFL MVP in 1980.
The Browns probably don't have the time or desire to invest those years into Shedeur and they probably see his best case scenario as a starter but not a franchise QB.
So build him up and move him now for one of those glorious 6th round draft picks. As a Back up plan maybe they move Dillon Gabriel. But honestly, I don’t think even Kevin Stefanski would give up a sixth rounder for him. The final outcome will probably be cutting Gabriel because I for one, don't believe any NFL GM buys into the charade.
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