Shedeur Sanders is entering the 2026 offseason with uncertainty around his role as Browns starter, but the young signal-caller appears focused on blocking out the speculation. On Friday, the 24-year-old and his father Deion, aka Coach Prime, shared cryptic messages on social media that many interpreted as a response to the ongoing rumors about Cleveland’s quarterback situation.
Shedeur, Deion Sanders' cryptic messages
“Learn to value the opinions of those who care about you, not the noise from everyone else,” Sanders wrote in an X, platform formerly known as Twitter.
“A Lie does not care whom tells it. It has no conscious, no feelings & no Heart but it does Seek ATTENTION. The only thing A lie does NEED is Transportation!” Coach Prime tweeted.
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Deion further retweeted a post about an ‘underrated coaching truth’.
“The best coaches aren’t obsessed with talent. They’re obsessed with effort. With attitude. With toughness. Because when it gets hard, that’s what still shows up,” the post read.
Browns' chaotic QB situation
The message comes as the Browns evaluate their options heading into a new season under head coach Todd Monken, the former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator. Monken has indicated that the starting quarterback role will not automatically belong to Sanders.
Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine, Monken acknowledged the young quarterback’s potential while making it clear the job is still up for grabs.
Sanders has ‘elite playmaking ability’, Monken said, but added that there would be an 'open competition' for the starting role. Cleveland also has Gabriel and veteran backup Deshaun Watson under contract for the 2026 season.
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Shedeur Sanders' 2025 season
Sanders’ performance in 2025 left the door open for that competition. He appeared in eight games and started seven, posting a 3–4 record while throwing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions on a Browns team that struggled throughout the year.
Although those numbers were not particularly impressive, Sanders is still considered a developing quarterback with room to grow, giving him an opportunity to reclaim the starting role if he shows improvement during the offseason and training camp.
Draft speculation
Meanwhile, speculation continues about whether Cleveland might pursue additional quarterback help.
Some reports have suggested the Browns could target a veteran passer or add another young quarterback through the NFL Draft. There have also been rumors linking the team to Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy, although no confirmed discussions have been reported.
Many of the top quarterbacks who were expected to hit the free-agent market — including Tua Tagovailoa, Kyler Murray and Malik Willis — have already signed with new teams, narrowing the available options.
The upcoming NFL Draft could also play a role in Cleveland’s plans. The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No 1 overall pick and are widely expected to select Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but Alabama’s Ty Simpson remains another highly regarded prospect who could attract interest from several teams, including the Browns.
Yash Nitish Bajaj
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More
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