Browns owner Jimmy Haslam's Shedeur Sanders decision impacts QB depth chart
Jimmy Haslam, owner of the Cleveland Browns, is believed to have significant influence over the team's personnel decisions, despite official claims to the contrary. This influence is exemplified by the drafting of Shedeur Sanders, who was selected after Dillon Gabriel, raising questions about the decision-making process. Mike Florio argues that Haslam's preferences could dictate the starting quarterback decision, especially if the competition is close. The Browns' quarterback depth chart includes veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, alongside rookies Sanders and Gabriel. The team's early season schedule may impact whether a veteran or rookie starts, with Sanders needing to perform well in training camp to secure the starting role if Haslam favors him.
Jimmy Haslam's influence over the Cleveland Browns' personnel decisions is highlighted by the drafting of quarterback Shedeur Sanders, despite official denials of such influence.
The selection of Sanders after Dillon Gabriel suggests a possible prioritization of analytics over traditional factors in the Browns' decision-making process.
Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk believes Haslam's opinion could heavily influence the choice of the starting quarterback, potentially favoring Sanders if the competition is close.
The Browns' quarterback roster is crowded with veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, in addition to the rookies Sanders and Gabriel, creating a complex dynamic for the upcoming season.
The team's early schedule, to be released soon, may determine whether a veteran or a rookie starts, with potential momentum-building or challenging early games impacting this decision.
For Sanders to secure the starting quarterback position, he must perform strongly in training camp and the preseason, with Haslam's preference possibly tipping the scales in his favor.
The broader implications of these decisions could affect the establishment of the Browns' 53-man roster for the 2025 season, as organizational priorities and external influences play a significant role.
The Browns say that owner Jimmy Haslam doesn't have a say in personnel decisions.
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio doesn't believe it, with him citing Shedeur Sanders' draft pick as the latest example.
"From the drafting of Johnny Manziel to the stubborn refusal to bench Deshaun Watson, there's plenty of reason to believe that those who receive paychecks from Haslam are saying what they have to say (and doing what they have to do) to ensure that they'll continue to receive those paychecks," Florio writes.
It's certainly fair analysis.
It applies in the Sanders situation given Cleveland had already taken QB Dillon Gabriel two rounds before taking Sanders.
"Haslam will have an opinion on who should be the Week 1 starter," Florio writes. "If it's close, his opinion will carry tremendous weight. If he wants Shedeur, he'll likely get Shedeur. Making him the starter will validate the organization's decision to prioritize analytics over all other factors in adding to the roster a rookie who will complicate the broader dynamics of the establishment of a 53-man football team for 2025."
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Cleveland has Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett in addition to the rookies Sanders and Gabriel.
"It's possible that the Browns will start the season with one of the veterans, riding it out until the time comes to give the team a boost," Florio writes. "Much of that will depend on the schedule, to be released in 11 days. If they get some winnable games early, they might build momentum. If they face a September-October juggernaut, the wheels could fly off quickly."
Sanders will still need to show well in training camp and the preseason.
But if he does, Florio suggests, the starting job will be as good as his.
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