Shedeur Sanders remains in the mix as the Cleveland Browns weigh their long-term options at quarterback, but the fifth-round rookie still has plenty left to prove.
Sanders has thrown for 946 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions across four starts, flashing both promise and inconsistency. His most recent outing was a setback, as he threw three interceptions in a 31-3 blowout loss to the Chicago Bears.
Cleveland holds two first-round picks in next year’s draft, a position that forces the organization to evaluate every option under center. While Sanders’ performance against Chicago did not remove him from consideration, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com noted that his margin for error remains slim. And there’s potential that embattled veteran passer Deshaun Watson could factor into the equation.
“Even if the Browns decide to roll with Sanders, he’ll have to demonstrate throughout the offseason program that he’s poised to win in 2026, or the Browns will consider starting Deshaun Watson until he’s ready,” Cabot said. “But Sanders’ rookie dog of a game didn’t take him out of the running for Browns QB of the future.”
Browns Mum on Deshaun Watson’s Return
Watson returned to practice in early December after missing more than a year while recovering from a twice-ruptured Achilles. The Browns have a 21-day window to activate him to the 53-man roster; if they do not, Watson would remain on the reserve/physically unable to perform list for the remainder of the season and would no longer be eligible to practice.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was asked about the approaching deadline but offered little clarity on the team’s plans, declining to say whether Watson could be activated before it passes.
“Yeah, I would say not my focus,” Stefanski said Dec. 15. “For right now, I’m very pleased with the progress that Deshaun’s making on the field, in the classroom. He’s doing a really good job.”
Watson is under contract for next season and is likely to remain on the roster thanks to his $230 million guaranteed contract. But the Browns have said they also value him as a veteran presence in the quarterback room for Sanders and rookie backup Dillon Gabriel.
Browns Taking Patient Approach With Shedeur Sanders
The Browns continued to back Sanders after the rough outing against the Bears. He played behind a patchwork offensive line and received little help from his pass-catchers. One of his interceptions came on a perfectly placed throw at the front pylon that hit Jerry Jeudy square in the chest before ricocheting into the hands of a Bears defender.
Stefanski said the bumps in the road are expected with a rookie passer.
“The sky’s not falling,” Stefanski said. “With young players, there’s growing and there’s learning that happens. I don’t care what the position is, but look at history in terms of young players, and sometimes there’s moments that aren’t going to go your way, and you learn from those. So that’s no different for any position, no different for Shedeur vs. any other player.”
The Browns and Sanders are 3-11 and will host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Put on Notice With Deshaun Watson Warning