Shedeur Sanders, Browns
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Quarterback Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns.
The Cleveland Browns don’t appear to have a clear plan at quarterback, but that is both okay for now under a new head coach in Todd Monken and good news for Shedeur Sanders as free agency is about to begin, followed by the NFL draft in April.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com authored a mailbag on Sunday, March 8, in which she discussed the potential of the Browns’ selecting a rookie quarterback in the draft and the chances that player might overtake Sanders at some point in 2026.
“I don’t really see the Browns drafting Ty Simpson at No. 6 overall, but maybe they’ll keep an eye on him for later in the draft if he slips,” Cabot wrote. “I could also see them drafting a QB later in the draft if they see a good developmental prospect there, [but] I don’t see any rookie coming in and overtaking Shedeur Sanders this season.”
Browns Brass ‘Excited’ About Shedeur Sanders’ Development Thus Far
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will compete for the starting job.
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.
That was the first bit of analysis from Cabot that bodes well for Sanders’ prospects in Year 2 of his career.
The second involved veteran QB Deshaun Watson, ostensibly Sanders’ biggest competition for the starting gig as the roster currently stands.
“As for whether they’re leaning toward starting Watson, I think they’ll let him and Shedeur Sanders battle it out in the offseason program and minicamp, and try to have their QB1 by the start of camp,” Cabot continued. “I actually think Browns GM Andrew Berry and Todd Monken are excited about what they’ve seen from Sanders, so I wouldn’t necessarily say they’re leaning toward Watson at this point.”
Browns May Not Be Able to Find Quality Competition for Shedeur Sanders in Free Agency
Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Sanders finished last season at 3-4 as the starter, tallying 1,400 yards, seven TDs and 10 INTs on 56.6 percent passing. He added 169 rushing yards and one score.
While Sanders’ traditional statistics were not overly concerning for a rookie, his advanced metrics proved problematic.
“Some might clamor to give Shedeur Sanders more development time, but I think that would be a mistake,” ESPN’s Seth Walder wrote February 25. “A fifth-round pick whose 18.9 QBR would have been by far the worst in the league had he played enough to qualify ought to be considered the longest of shots, so the Browns should be pursuing other quarterback options.”
Who those options might be is the question, as Cabot doesn’t project a rookie threat joining the team this offseason. Watson has had plenty of chances in Cleveland, and it appears he will get another, but if Sanders can’t beat him out then he doesn’t deserve to start.
Malik Willis is an option, though he could tip the scales at $25-$35 million annually, which doesn’t make sense in Cleveland where the offensive line and wide receivers room are far from finished products. Plus, the Arizona Cardinals have emerged as frontrunners for Willis on the eve of free agency.
The most sensible option might be a trade with the Indianapolis Colts for Anthony Richardson. He will cost a new team just $5.4 million and has a style similar to the one Monken worked with as offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, where Lamar Jackson played quarterback.
Every other name is one like Kirk Cousins or Geno Smith, a veteran at the backend of his career who would be a one-year placeholder with essentially zero chance to remain the starter two or three years down the road.