Shedeur Sanders failing to win the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback job was disappointing to a lot of fans who were hoping to never have to watch Deshaun Watson take the field for this team again. Watson has started only 19 games since 2020, so Sanders’ day will likely come sooner rather than later, but for now it’s Watson’s job until proven otherwise.
With a pair of first-round picks in next year’s draft looming over the organization and Watson currently starting, it’s fair to wonder what Sanders’ future holds. Trade rumors have surfaced over the past few months, but nothing appears imminent and one insider believes he knows what the future looks like for the young QB.
During a recent episode of The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show, The Athletic’s Zac Jackson talked about Sanders’ trajectory. He believes Sanders will show some improvement if and when he gets the chance to start again, but ultimately won’t do enough to convince the front office to give him a real shot long term.
“I wonder what his ceiling is. The window is closing. I think you’ll see some good. I think you’ll see some bad. I don’t think you’ll see enough for the Browns to say this is the guy we’re going forward with,” said Jackson.
If the 2027 class is anything like the 2024 draft class, the Browns will be in great shape in the quarterback department. ESPN’s Tony Grossi is one of many analysts who sees that as the likely path for this organization and that almost nothing that happens in 2026 can change that.
It’s unfortunate, but if Sanders doesn’t get on the field and prove himself at some point this year, it’s hard to see a path for him in Cleveland. Some other team will take a shot on him as a reclamation project and he’ll have a chance to follow the path of someone like Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold who had to move out to move up.
That being said, this is all speculative and negative. Week 1 is right around the corner and Sanders will likely still have a chance to prove people wrong this year. Let’s see if he can shock some of the doubters and make things difficult for the Browns when the ’27 draft comes around.
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