The Opening Drive 12/12: The Art of Quarterback Growth As Told By Tommy Rees
The Browns OC made a key example out a few plays from last Sunday.
As we approach the “Ice” Bowl” this weekend in Chicago, the Browns are spending most of the week talking about the performance of Shedeur Sanders — the one that earned him the Offensive Rookie of the Week honors. With the banter about Sanders, everything is about how the Browns will handle him heading into 2026 and if he is worthy of taking over the role full-time next season.
With those discussions comes the analysis of if, or how, he is improving with each start. Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees spoke on Sanders’ growth during his time with the media yesterday. “Yeah, I think just what I just talked about really like the overall improvement of our footwork and our understanding – what footwork applies to what concepts and our ability to work through progressions.”
Following that question, Rees went into deep detail about the 60-yard touchdown to Jerry Jeudy as an example for that growth within the pocket and how progressions within it allow for bigger plays downfield to come together.
“Yeah, we ran that play, the first play of our second drive, we had Harold on the end breaker for like 16 or 17 yards there to our left. It was the same play. We just aligned it a little differently and they played a different coverage, which would get you to your second or third part of your progression, which is what happened on the second play. It’s always a good thing when you’re in the box yelling, but when we’re talking about getting to a route and then it happens in that moment, like you and the player are on the same page as you’re watching, and that’s what happened on that long play to Jerry, which is – it just shows the signs of improvement, like our ability to see the coverage get through a progression, play on time, play within the pocket. You know, the part that should be noted on all those plays where you’re getting through them, is that our protection was excellent there. And so, we’re an empty protection, no help on the tackles, and we were able to really stay in the cylinder and deliver a great throw and Jerry did the rest for us. But like you said, that was a repeated call in the first half there, and we’re able to continue to get through our progression versus a different look.”
So, you know me. I wanted to dig up both of those plays, break them down for you, and show you how they came together because of different coverages and progressions. So, away we go.
Below you’ll find the latest in the BFB catalog for supporters to dig into. Click the link to become a supporter if you haven’t already, and enjoy all the latest from Browns Film Breakdown.
Latest Podcasts:
Latest Film Rooms:
Latest Articles:
Opening Drive 12/11: Browns Must Sell Watson on Future Beyond Cleveland
Opening Drive 12/10: Revisiting That Miserable Two-Point Play
Opening Drive 12/9: Reading Between the Lines on Rees Report
The Browns wanted to get into some empty looks against the Titans defense this past week. You always enjoy getting the coverage indicator that comes with a running back split wide and that is what we get here. The Titans show they will be in zone coverage and that gives Sanders the answers he needs for the concept.
Since he is processing zone he knows he can work the left side angle route first from Harold Fannin Jr. with the shallow as an outlet against pressure. Once he drops back, deciphers it is Cover-4, then he can pick on the route he knows will have success to his left side. If he was fooled he could always work to the backside dig from Jeudy.
Watch as Sanders notices the open (two-high safety) coverage pre-snap and the quickly gets to the left side route he wants. Easy enough.
Now, on the second quarter rep we get the same route concepts just flipped for the wide side strength now to the right.
But this time the Titans show MOFC (middle field closed coverage) so that changes the progression. Sanders is either getting man coverage or a form of Cover-3. He knows he will have the backside dig or shallow as answers within the scheme.
When he drops back, watch him quickly check the same route from Fannin to his right side, process the four underneath defenders and then work his eyes from right to left and pin down the route from Jeudy. This is a thing of beauty to work through frontside to backside progressions.
These are the reps Sanders has to keep stacking together in order to gain the Browns trust he can be the long-term answer. These are the high-level NFL throws the league demands week-over-week to find consistent success. You have to stay one step ahead of defenses as often as possible. Very encouraging stuff from Sanders to see him working this concept with ease as early as he is.
Browns Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh All-22 content.
Great write up!