Shedeur Sanders' Fear of Joe Flacco Shows on Practice Field—And It's Painfully Obvious

Shedeur Sanders Shows Nerves Around Joe Flacco at Browns Practice | NFL Wires

Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders appears tense when veteran Joe Flacco takes the field during minicamp. Our report reveals how the NFL QB race is heating up. Read more on NFL Wires.

Rookie Nerves in Browns Camp

Cleveland Browns’ rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is quickly becoming the talk of minicamp—for reasons beyond his arm strength. Observers noticed that Sanders visibly tenses up when veteran Joe Flacco steps onto the field. With Flacco earning praise for both his leadership and his on-field composure, Sanders’ growing unease during drills is raising eyebrows across the league. NFL Wires digs into what’s behind the tension and what it could mean for the QB battle in Cleveland.

Subtle Body Language—Loss of Poise

Multiple beat reporters describe Sanders muttering complaints and overthinking simple reads when Flacco enters drills. In several 7-on-7 reps, Sanders misfires early passes and looks prematurely toward Flacco, as though second-guessing himself. One NFL insider noted—during a passing sequence—Sanders “over-analyzed the safety alignment and stared off before letting it go.”

These small but telling moments suggest he’s responding not only to early-pressure from Flacco, but also to the weight of expectations in Cleveland’s loaded QB room.

Flacco’s Dominance Amplifies Pressure

Reports confirm Flacco is being showered with top reps and direct praise from coach Kevin Stefanski—reinforcing his status as the presumptive Week 1 starter. His veteran instincts and leadership style have created a calm environment, but under it, young Shedeur appears to be shrinking.

Where Flacco marches ahead with confidence, Sanders is now showing signs of tentativeness.

Is This Mental or Mechanical?

Sanders’ recent comments offer insight. He admitted he sometimes felt pressure—“too scared”—early in camp, but claimed he was working to overcome it . He added that Flacco’s advice—like quick reads and flow cadence—has helped him refocus .

Still, mental struggles often reveal themselves physically, and Sanders' offseason weakness in this area is bleeding into practice.

QB Room Dynamics: A Fork in the Road

Sanders acknowledged that Flacco isn’t trying to discourage him—instead, the vet is offering constructive feedback. Yet sources suggest many teammates are quietly observing the power shift: Flacco’s steady game is winning trust, while Sanders seems unsure.

With Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel also hunting for reps, the rookie must recapture confidence quickly—or risk being left behind.

Turning Point: How Sanders Can React

• Own the nerves: Acknowledge that veterans will always create tension—and treat it as fuel.

• Lean deeper into mentorship: Do more than listen to Flacco; replicate his process in pre-snap mechanics and cadence.

• Simplify reads: Over-analysis is stalling his release; focusing on key progressions could restore pace and clarity.

Final Take

Yes, Shedeur Sanders is feeling the presence of Joe Flacco—so much so that it’s nearly visible on his face. But this is also a rare professional gift: Rookie pressure under the shadow of a veteran legend. How Sanders navigates it will define not only this summer’s QB competition but his long-term path in the NFL. Expect drama—and growth—on the Browns sideline. NFL Wires will keep following the story.

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