The Cleveland Browns issued a strong statement regarding Shedeur Sanders‘ recent speeding tickets, which generated some negative headlines for the rookie quarterback.
Sanders had been pulled over twice for speeding over two weeks, with the latest incident occurring on June 17.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry sent a clear message to Sanders for the incidents during training camp on Thursday.
“Not smart, just not smart, and it’s something that we’ve addressed with him,” Berry said. “He understands the implications, he understands the consequences. I think the thing is it’s not just about yourself. It’s not just about having a joy ride. It’s not just about driving a car really fast, but it’s about the fact that you can endanger other people. It’s about the fact that if a deer or someone cuts out in front of you, like your reaction time.
“It’s just dangerous and it’s not something that we want our guys to be doing. It’s not something that they should be doing. And the No. 1 reason is because we don’t want some type of catastrophic accident. We saw that two years ago when, what was it, Dallas or Houston with a player, and in that incident everybody was lucky to walk away. We don’t want that occurring with anyone in our organization.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Took Ownership for Wrong Choices
Sanders has yet to speak with the media at training camp but he did briefly address the speeding tickets in a video that circulated on social media.
“I’ve made some wrong choices, personally, I can own up to them,” Sanders said. “I’ve made some not great choices. I learn from it.”
Sanders’ speeding tickets are not a significant issue compared to the other off-field issue the Browns are dealing with involving a rookie. Running back Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned amid allegations of domestic violence.
Shedeur Sanders Facing Uphill Battle With Browns
The Browns have yet to release a depth chart, but Sanders has functioned primarily as the fourth quarterback. However, the Browns have been open that all four passers — Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco — will have a shot to win the job.
“All four of those guys, I will continue to put them in some situations, but ultimately, we’d love to make decisions sooner than later,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday, the first official day of camp. “We’ve had an entire offseason program with our guys, so what I try to do is have a plan for this first block of four days, have a plan for the next block, but I’m ready to – we are ready to adjust as necessary throughout this thing. And then ultimately, we want to make the best decision for the football team, but we also want to gather information so that I can make that decision.”
Sanders is trying to insert himself into the mix after falling to the fifth round in the draft. While the speeding tickets were not a great look, Sanders has made a good impression on the brass in Cleveland.
“He’s a very, very hard worker,” Stefanski said on the “Cleveland Browns Daily” podcast in June. “He has fun when he’s in the building. I’m enjoying watching him progress with every single meeting, with every single rep he’s doing a great job.”
Sanders will continue chipping away, with his first in-game opportunity likely coming on Aug. 8 in the team’s preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers.
