The Cleveland Browns are not taking a firm stance on Shedeur Sanders as their starter moving forward as the team interviews head coaching candidates.
Sanders started the final seven games of the season, offering flashes of promise but struggling to find consistency. Over that stretch, he threw for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions, underscoring both his potential and the volatility of his rookie audition. Sanders went 3-4 in those starts, including back-to-back wins against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals to close out the year.
The Browns did not commit to Sanders as part of their long-term plans at the end of the season, and he has not been viewed as a determining factor as the team interviews candidates to replace Kevin Stefanski as head coach.
“The Browns are holding true to their promise to let the head coach have a say in his starting quarterback, and are not mandating to any of the candidates that they must start Shedeur Sanders,” Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com said.
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Sanders has said that he is not spending time worrying about the decision that could be made about his future. He feels like he made his case with his time on the field.
“I think I did what I was able to do, and I definitely grew from a lot of things, and I got experience now,” Sanders said. “So, I’m always the same, confidence-wise, I’m there. But like, that’s not in my hands. Like, that’s not my decision. I can’t speak on what other people feel.”
This season marked Sanders’ first year playing under a head coach other than his father. It was a learning experience but Sanders feels it will serve him well moving forward.
“This year been the first year with a different head coach than Pop. So that was the adjustment off rip, and it was cool, it was straight,” Sanders said. “Building different relationships in different circumstances, situations, which is always good to have those life goals and have those life lessons around. Just to have them on building blocks, so then you’re prepared for any situation. So that’s what this last year was.”
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Another quarterback currently on the roster who could factor into the situation is Deshaun Watson. He spent the season recovering from two Achilles surgeries. He returned to practice for three weeks but was never activated to the 53-man roster.
Cabot said that Watson impressed during his time on the practice field and could be a bridge option for the Browns next season.
“(Watson) will be on the team next season in the final year of his contract, and was the most talented quarterback on the field during his three-week practice window in December,” Cabot said. “The Browns will also have enough salary cap space to sign a veteran bridge quarterback or trade for one, but Watson might fit the bill.”
Watson is entering the final year of his full guaranteed $230 million contract.
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