Shedeur Sanders hasn’t looked completely hopeless through the first two starts of his career, but the Browns aren’t ready to hand him the reins. As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano write, the rookie quarterback will be afforded a long leash through the end of the 2025 season, but Sanders is unlikely to be guaranteed the QB1 role for 2026 unless he “lights it up.”
[RELATED: Browns Open Deshaun Watson’s Practice Window]
As Fowler notes, Sanders has reinforced the coaching staff’s belief that he’s able to limit turnovers; the rookie has only thrown a pair of picks this season, although one of those was during a relief appearance in Week 11. And, while Sanders had a reputation for taking an unsustainable amount of sacks during his college career, he’s only been sacked four times in his two starts.
At the same time, the Browns understand that the fifth-round pick may not be their answer at the position, especially since the team could easily pursue an alternative via free agency or the draft this offseason. The team also has Dillon Gabriel on the roster, although Fowler notes that the rookie third-round pick projects as more of a capable QB2. Rival coaches opined that Gabriel is further along in his development than Sanders, but there’s also a belief that Sanders has a higher upside with his arm strength and larger frame.
Either way, the Browns will use the final stretch of the season to see if Sanders or Gabriel may be their answer for the 2026 season. The team already gave Gabriel six starts, and it appears the coaching staff is determined to give Sanders a similar amount of reps before the season is through. As Fowler notes, it’s pertinent that the franchise knows whether their 2026 starter is currently on the roster.
Of course, Deshaun Watson‘s recent return to practice slightly complicates things. However, sources told Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports that the highly paid quarterback only has a slim chance of seeing the field in 2025. The veteran will continue to take limited practice reps, but Jones estimates that Watson will only have 10 practices under his belt by the time the Browns have to make a decision on his activation for Week 17.
Taking into account the player’s lengthy rehab of a torn Achilles, it seems the organization simply wants to give Watson some practice reps ahead of the 2026 offseason. Considering the quarterback’s release would leave the organization with a record-breaking $80MM in dead cap for the 2026 season, it’s all but certain that Watson will remain on the roster next year. If neither Sanders nor Gabriel establish themselves as a sure-thing starter heading into the offseason, the Browns seem destined to have at least a four-man competition for the QB1 spot during next year’s training camp and preseason.
I think it’s more likely he’d be traded than be QB1
Not with that history and contract. Designating him a post-June 1 cut would result in a dead cap hit of nearly $81 million for 2026 and $0 in cap savings. He remains Clevelands nightmare…
I think he is talking about Sanders
‘…At the same time, the Browns understand that the fifth-round pick may not be their answer at the position…’
A 5th rounder may not be answer??? Those sneaky Browns drafting 2 bum QB’s & 2 average RB’s in the same draft as well.
No offsides on that last play by Dallas? The league is quickly becoming a joke, unfortunately.
I wouldn’t call either back they drafted average.
Judkins is a beast, and Sampson runs hard for his size and is extremely versatile and a guy you can have run routes out of the backfield. Getting them in the same draft was actually a pretty big find.
I see the refs are bribed once agin. How is that NOT a safety???
No kidding on both fronts.
Since they said he won’t play, can we assume he will?
Honestly he hasn’t looked like he’s overmatched or unable to play at the NFL level. He’s not a starter yet. Being the back up next season probably would be a good thing. But I don’t think anyone can be successful in Cleveland.
So the top qb options going fwd is a guy who should be in jail And a guy who should be in the cfl
Going forward they have two first round picks, one of which is currently slated to be 5 overall.
The delusional hate towards Gabriel is hilarious and shows that the people hating don’t actually know football.
Or, people look at advanced stats like average depth of target (ADOT) and notice that last year at Oregon Gabriel only managed to throw it 6 yards down field. His rookie season he’s at 5.96. That’s a strong indication he doesn’t have the arm strength to push the ball down field.
You look at other guys
Ward 9.5 at Miami, 8.3 in Tennessee
Dart 11.9 at Ole Miss, 9.4 in NY
Shough 8.2 at Louisville, 6.55 in NO
Sanders colorado 8.3, CLE 8.69
They’re almost 3 yards further down field than Gabriel. Having a guy who needs to run quick throws screens slants comebacks limits the offense severely
Advanced stats mean nothing outside of baseball.
If you have to use them to make your argument, you don’t know football.
“Dillion Gabriel can’t throw far, supported by facts”
“YoU dOnT kNoW bAlL”
Whatever helps you being wrong feel better
This is funny… but hey say not guaranteed a QB1 spot. He isn’t even guaranteed a spot on roster. Lmao
What a conundrum
They’d be insane to guarantee Sanders the QB1 spot. You have to make sure you actually have anything in him first.
Gabriel could do decent to well on Vikings or with Shanny/Mcvey.
Sanders , well he’s backup material.
Watson biggest bust trade ever and GM is still employed? Moronic.
Wow…
“Shedeur Sanders hasn’t looked completely hopeless through the first two starts of his career…” That used to be called “damning with faint praise.”
Well you give him no reps and definitely no confidence not even announcing he’s the #2 right away. Sanders has the chance to be a big time starter time will tell but Gabriel does not. It’s Sanders in 26 or someone outside the organization now. If you watch Gabriel you just know but with Sanders he looks like a guy with some potential at least let’s see how it plays out. I didn’t get it maybe he has some maturing to do but he should have been getting those reps and starts giving you more time to evaluate and him to improve. Gabriel is barely a back up in my eyes