As much as the notion of the Browns having found their quarterback of the future in Shedeur Sanders sounds like fun, the fact remains that he is a 23-year-old rookie with three starts under his belt whose film is decidedly questionable. It’s been the mantra of any coach who has watched Sanders to this point: He’s done some things well, and he simultaneously needs massive improvement.

The Browns are planning to give Sanders the reins for the final four games of this season, as has already been announced. He will have had seven starts under his belt when this year winds up so now, naturally, the question that looms for the Browns is whether that’s enough. He has, in three starts (eliminating his disastrous relief appearance against the Ravens), gone 50-for-87 passing (57.5%) with 722 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. He has been sacked six times and has a rating of 94.1.

The debate over whether the Browns should have given Sanders the QB1 job earlier is a moot one now–certainly, they wanted to give third-round pick Dillon Gabriel a chance, and they did that. But the debate going forward will be whether Sanders did enough in his short amount of time to show he should have the job in 2026.

Browns ‘Taking It One Day at a Time’

That is essentially what Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees was asked on Thursday: Does he now, and does he expect to by the end of the year, have enough information to make a choice on Sanders as the team’s next starting quarterback (assuming, of course, Rees is still with the Browns a month from now).

Rees said that the Browns are focusing on the now–an indication that they’re a long way yet from committing to Sanders beyond four more weeks.

“We’re taking it one day at a time. I think you learn about quarterbacks in year five, in year 10,” he said. “Like, I don’t think you ever stop learning and evolving with those players. You know, certainly, we’re going to pour everything we have into our group right now and going to continue to find ways to improve and find ways to, you know, put emphasis on certain things and continue to get him, you know, ready to play.”

Shedeur Sanders Showing Improvement for Browns

Again, there is the possibility that Shedeur Sanders will be the Browns quarterback in 2026. But one of the frustrations already for this franchise is that it’s going to once again go into an offseason and into a training camp with uncertainty at the most important position on the field.

Still, on the plus side, Rees acknowledged some improvements from Sanders.

“I think the improvement, you know, you’re looking at all your players, all your young players to see just gradual improvement on the areas that you’re focused on,” he said. “I thought he did a really nice job of moving in the pocket, stepping up in the pocket. You know, he had some opportunities to step up and attack the defense, whether it was throwing the ball on the move. …

“I thought operationally we were clean and that’s what you’re after with all your players, specifically the young guys are the things that you’re trying to ask them to do and are the things that you’re focused on being accomplished and credit to him and credit to Coach Mus (Bill Musgrave) for continuing to get him ready to play.”