The Pittsburgh Steelers have been stuck in quarterback purgatory for the past few seasons. However, they still haven’t been as bad off as the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have been searching for a franchise quarterback since they returned in 1999. Currently, it’s unclear who will start for them in 2026. It seems like Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson are competing for the job. Former Steelers and Browns corner Joe Haden thinks that’s an easy decision to make for Cleveland.
“I want to start Shedeur Sanders,” Haden said recently on his Deebo and Joe podcast. “I think we should give him the keys. If we started him right now, we’re going to at least know, I believe, that he should’ve been a first-round pick.
“I believe he should’ve been the second-overall pick. If you want to go Cam Ward, then go Shedeur Sanders, in my opinion… Deshaun Watson, do what you’ve gotta do. Keep working. I hope that you succeed. But for me, for the Cleveland Browns, that ship has sailed.”
There was plenty of hype surrounding Sanders during draft season last year. Many analysts projected him as the second player taken. However, it quickly became clear that the NFL wasn’t as high on him. Not only did Sanders not get taken with the second-overall pick, but he wasn’t even selected in the first round. He fell all the way to the fifth round.
That caused quite a stir, but Sanders’ rookie year didn’t prove that he deserved to be taken near the top of the draft. He played in eight games, starting seven, and he threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdown passes, and 10 interceptions. Despite making the Pro Bowl, Sanders struggled mightily.
While Sanders might not be as skilled as Haden believes, he might be a better option than Watson. Watson used to be one of the best young quarterbacks in the league. However, that was a while ago. Watson hasn’t played in a full season since 2020. He sat out the 2021 season and has been a disaster since joining the Browns in 2022.
Injuries have plagued Watson over the last few years. That includes an Achilles tear that cost him most of 2024 and all of 2025. It seems very unlikely that Watson will ever reach the level that he was at before coming to Cleveland.
The Browns might be better off seeing what they have in Sanders. While he didn’t look great last year, perhaps he’ll take a large second-year leap. It seems likelier that he’ll pan out than Watson. Haden’s expectations might be a little too high, but his idea isn’t bad.
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