Deshaun Watson
Sep 27, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Shedeur Sanders made his first start of the season for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. If it were up to Bill Cowher, Sanders would be the Browns’ QB1 moving forward.
Following Cleveland’s 23-22 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints, Cowher advocated for Sanders to become the team’s permanent starter.
‘He’s going to be the future’
The Browns entered the game 5-3 behind starting quarterback Deshaun Watson, who missed Sunday’s game after spending part of the week in concussion protocol. Sanders completed 19-of-31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns in his place.
“I would just say this: Moving forward, Shedeur Sanders should be the starter for this football team,” Cowher said. “He’s going to be the future. And I think what he showed today, his resiliency, continued to come back. He made great decisions, he extended plays. I love the way he played and I would move forward with him.”
After Cowher’s first comments, his CBS colleague Nate Burleson asked the former Pittsburgh Steelers coach if Watson hadn’t done enough in the first eight games to keep his job moving forward.
“One person’s unfortunate situation creates another person’s opportunity,” Cowher responded. “I just think that right now, what I saw from Shedeur Sanders, I would move forward. Because he is the future of your football team.”
“Shedeur Sanders should be the starter for this football team. He’s gonna be the future.”
@CowherCBS loved what he saw from the @Browns young QB despite their loss 🔥 https://t.co/elZ06pscOd
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 8, 2026
Monken ‘proud’ of Sanders’ effort
Sanders helped set up a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation with a clutch 30-yard completion to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, and with the Browns trailing 23-16 in the extra frame, found tight end Harold Fannin with a short pass on 3rd-and-7, which Fannin turned into a spectacular 39-yard touchdown.
Sanders threw incomplete on the ensuing two-point conversion, ending the Browns’ hopes, but Cleveland head coach Todd Monken said after the game he was encouraged by the second-year pro’s performance.
“I’m really proud of him and how hard he’s worked since I’ve been here,” Monken said. “He wasn’t perfect. I wasn’t perfect. But for a guy that really hasn’t taken snaps with the ones in, what, 10 weeks. When we announced it with two weeks left and we’re eight weeks into the season, so you’re basically two-and-a-half months where you’re basically running cards. To come in there and continue to battle, really proud of him.”
For now, Monken added that he “isn’t getting into” any questions about who will be the Browns’ starter moving forward.
Jeremiah Smith
Jeremiah Smith
Jeremiah Smith
Jeremiah Smith
Taylor Swift at the New York Knicks Game 4.
Taylor Swift at the New York Knicks Game 4.