Denzel Ward avoided endorsing Shedeur Sanders as Cleveland’s starter, framing the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation as an open competition with no clear frontrunner.
The Browns are heading into another offseason of uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position. Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson are all under contract for next season. But the Browns are also expected to explore their options in free agency, the draft, and the trade market.
Sanders appears to be the frontrunner for the QB1 job after starting seven games as a rookie. But Ward declined to back Sanders when asked by Kay Adams if Sanders should be the starter for the Browns.
“That’s not my decision to make. We got guys still on the roster who are going to provide good competition at that position. Looking forward seeing that happen,” Ward said on Up & Adams. “May the best guy win. We got a lot of talented guys in that room who can compete. But he’s in a good spot to get that starting spot if he wants to go get it.”
Browns CB Ward on Sanders: Picked Him Off in Practice a Few Times
Ward has seen Sanders up close in practice, and while he praised the rookie’s confidence, he acknowledged that it can cut both ways.
“Shedeur has all the confidence in the world. You love that in a quarterback, but I love it too because that means he’s going to give me opportunities,” Ward said. “I’ve definitely picked him off a few times in practice. You have to love his confidence but he throws a great ball with great accuracy. He’s going to be a good player in this league.”
That patented confidence was on display earlier in the week when Sanders spoke to Adams.
“You can see it. It’s kind of like mastering how to get to that place all the time,” Sanders said. “You have flashes. That’s the most thing I appreciate about this year is that I proved to myself, I’m able to dominate the league. But I’m able to take completions, I’m able to put all of that together, and definitely in games, we have flashes, but I know I’m capable of doing that. Now, to do it on a consistent basis, that’s what the goal is. But for me in this past season, that’s what proved to myself. No matter what happened, no matter anything that transpired, you are able to go out there and compete.”
Sanders went 3-4 as the starter with the Browns, passing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Browns Star Denzel Ward Not Concerned About Trade Rumors
Ward was drafted No. 4 overall by Cleveland in 2018 and is a five-time Pro Bowler. Despite the team’s recent struggles, he is happy to be a member of the Browns. However, he has bigger goals for himself and the team.
“I’m a Cleveland kid through and through. I love playing for the Browns,” Ward said. “I know I made five Pro Bowls but I’m trying to make it to the playoffs and the Super Bowl.”
Ward’s name has been mentioned in some trade speculation over the years. But it’s not something keeping him up at night.
“I don’t look too much into it. Wherever I’m at, that’s where I’m supposed to be,” Ward said. “That’s how I feel. Wherever I’m at, I’m going to play the best ball I can, make plays, and be that shutdown corner.”
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