Browns OC Tommy Rees Gets Real About Shedeur Sanders: Brutal Honesty and High Expectations for Cleveland’s Rookie QB1

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As the Cleveland Browns ride a wave of excitement with rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders at the helm, Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees is keeping things grounded. In a candid press conference, Rees offered a brutally honest assessment of Sanders’ debut, the learning curve ahead, and what it really takes to succeed in the NFL as a young signal-caller. The message? Sanders has shown flashes of brilliance, but the journey to becoming a franchise QB is just beginning.

Hard Truths: Winning Isn’t Easy—Especially for Rookies

Rees didn’t sugarcoat the challenges Sanders faces. “It’s hard to win on the road, hard to win as a rookie,” he admitted. Sanders’ first start was marked by both promise and plenty of teachable moments. “He did a nice job on some things we asked him to do. Our focus is really, like it’s been all year, on the process of how to improve and how to continue to get better.”

For Rees, the result—a win—was important, but not the ultimate measure. “There’s a lot of plays he would like to have back. There’s a lot of great learning opportunities out there. And then there’s a lot of plays that he made that helped our offense and helped us score enough points to win the game.”

Process Over Results: The Browns’ Development Philosophy

The Browns are doubling down on a process-oriented approach, refusing to get too caught up in the highs and lows of wins and losses. “Every time you come in on a Monday, there’s going to be a bunch of plays you want to correct,” Rees explained. “They’re just usually easier to correct when you win than when you lose.”

Sanders, Rees said, has embraced the grind. “He’s done a really nice job this week of continuing to prep and really starting to hone in on the things we’re asking of him. We’re excited for another opportunity.”

Pocket Presence: The Next Step for Sanders

One area Rees highlighted was Sanders’ development as a pocket passer. “He seemed to really play from within the pocket a lot more than even those two quarters against Baltimore,” Rees said. But there’s no magic solution. “You just got to continue to show evidence—‘Hey, this is a clean pocket, this is what it looks like. These are the times we need to stay in here and read things out.’”

Sanders’ athleticism gives him the ability to make plays outside the pocket, but Rees wants him to find the right balance. “There was a third down last week where we felt he could have stayed in instead of flushing out to his left. He’s the first one to recognize those things. But then you see the play extension on the big throw to Jerry—he moved right under pressure and made a great play downfield.”

Rees stressed that growth comes from reps and teachable moments, not shortcuts. “A lot of that comes with time and reps and time on task.”

Big Plays and Confidence: The 52-Yard Bomb

Sanders’ highlight reel already includes a jaw-dropping 52-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond, thrown off his back foot under heavy pressure. Head coach Kevin Stefanski called it a “high-level play,” and Rees agreed it was a huge moment for the rookie.

“It was an unbelievable individual effort—a great throw off his back foot, gets hit, it’s right where you want it. They’re playing cover zero, which is an aggressive call. It might have dissuaded them from playing cover zero throughout the game, which helps our protection moving forward.”

But for Sanders, the play was more than just a stat—it was a confidence boost. “It’s your first start, you’re on the road, make that first play and it settles you into the game. It probably opens up a little bit of confidence and relief. Now let’s focus on moving forward and continuing to play.”

Shot-Taking Mentality: Calculated Aggression

Sanders isn’t afraid to take deep shots, and Rees loves his confidence—but it’s all about making the right decisions. “Sometimes you call the shot versus the coverage you want and you get it to go. Sometimes you don’t and you’ve got to check the ball down and make the right decision.”

Rees emphasized teaching his quarterbacks to recognize premier looks and not force throws. “When we have those looks, let’s take a rip. If not, make the right decision and we’ll call it again. That’s part of the process—instilling in them when to attack and when to live for another down.”

Rookie Revolution: Building for the Future

It’s not just Sanders who’s making waves. The Browns’ offense is packed with young talent, and Rees is thrilled by their development. “Seeing their development throughout the year is pretty rewarding as a coach. From rookie minicamp to leading the team breakdown after practice, seeing their roles increase is exciting.”

Rees highlighted undrafted rookie Gage, who earned his spot with hard work and made a huge play on special teams. “That group of guys are a lot of fun to work with. They’ve got a good connection, good energy. Football is very important to all those players.”

Backfield Balance: The One-Two Punch

Rees also discussed the Browns’ dynamic running back duo, praising their versatility and impact. “When you spell your top back and don’t miss a beat, that’s beneficial for the offense. They have different skill sets, and maximizing those is important.”

He pointed out that there’s no play on the call sheet he’d hesitate to run with either back in the game. “Let them both roll. We’ve made a concerted effort to get S more involved as the year’s gone on. He’s really one of those players you point to when talking about commitment and doing things the right way.”

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

The Browns face a tough defense this week, and Rees knows it won’t be easy. “They play hard, play fast, rally to the football, and attack you defensively. Their pressure packages are impressive. We’ll have our work cut out for us.”

But with Sanders showing growth, confidence, and a willingness to learn, the Browns are optimistic. Rees summed it up: “We’ve got to make sure we put our best foot forward.”

Final Thoughts: Brutal Honesty, Real Progress

Tommy Rees’s brutally honest review of Shedeur Sanders makes one thing clear—there are no shortcuts to NFL stardom. Sanders has the arm, the poise, and the confidence, but it’s the process, the teachable moments, and the work ethic that will define his future.

For Browns fans, there’s real hope in Cleveland. Sanders is QB1, but the story is just beginning. With Rees and the coaching staff committed to development, the Browns are building something special—one honest conversation, one big play, and one day at a time.

Will Shedeur Sanders rise to the challenge and become Cleveland’s franchise quarterback? If he keeps listening, learning, and grinding, the answer might just be yes.