During the second half of the 2025 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns started quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Sanders struggled mightily by completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 169 yards on 21 carries and one touchdown.
The 24-year-old-quarterback was a fifth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft from the Colorado Buffaloes. He is not a slam dunk to be the Browns starting quarterback in 2026 as Deshaun Watson could potentially edge him in that regard.
Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Under Pressure to Perform in 2026
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws during the second day of the team’s mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, June 10, 2026, in Berea, Ohio.
Zac Jackson of the Athletic wrote about one player on the Browns roster that is under pressure to perform in 2026. He believes that player is Sanders. Jackson said,
“All that’s at stake is the franchise’s immediate future. That’s a little bit of hyperbole, but the Browns are clearly embracing a future-based approach and probably positioning themselves to select a quarterback early in the 2027 draft. Sanders can change that part of the plan by establishing himself as a starting-quality player and leader this year.
“He’s going to get to play and develop even if he doesn’t initially win the job this summer, but the Browns know Deshaun Watson isn’t their future and that Sanders grabbing (and keeping) the job would open the team’s future options. Sanders had moments — both good and bad — in seven starts as a rookie, and this could be his only real chance to win a starting job. So, improvement must be noticeable and immediate. A big few months await.”
Every single year, the Browns have an issue at the quarterback position. If Sanders is good, then general manager Andrew Berry may have to re-think drafting a quarterback in 2027. If not, then they will probably have to draft one. Watson is in the final year of his contract, and he is probably not in the long-term plans for Cleveland.
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