The crucial context behind Shedeur Sanders’ eye-popping practice stats

The Browns quarterbacks’ stats were tracked during Wednesday’s OTAs session and a certain polarizing fifth-round draft selection had some eye-popping numbers.

In a graphic posted to X by ESPN Cleveland, Shedeur Sanders looked to have had far and away the best session Wednesday — an efficient 7-of-9 with a team-leading three touchdowns.

But Sanders’ numbers lacked crucial context: he did not participate in any 11-on-11 drills.

While he still certainly had himself a nice day, Sanders only took 7-on-7 reps whereas the 11-on-11 drills were split between Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and fellow 2025 draft pick Dillon Gabriel.

On Thursday’s episode of the “Orange and Brown Talk” podcast, hosts Dan Labbe, Mary Kay Cabot and Ashley Bastock discussed the misrepresentation of the OTAs stats.

“Shedeur Sanders, as we so aptly told everybody yesterday, did not take one rep in 11-on-11s,” Cabot said. “He has to come in here as the fourth-string quarterback and work his way up that depth chart. So, he did not take a team rep. He did not have Mason Graham in his face yesterday at all.”