As promising as the Cleveland Browns’ season has been so far with Deshaun Watson at quarterback, there is still a very important long-term outlook to consider. With so much young talent, the Browns could be a legitimate contender for years to come, if only they can find a legitimate QB of the future.
Watson has played himself into consideration as the Browns’ starter for next season, and maybe a year after that. But when players like KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Harold Fannin Jr., and Quinshon Judkins are hitting their peak, Watson may be well past his prime, if he is not already.
Yet, there might not be an available solution in the 2027 NFL Draft, which is why analyst Earl D Mauldin is floating an intriguing theory about Shedeur Sanders, saying he might actually be the one who is being groomed to take over for Watson.
“Who’s to say that part of this is not playing the long game with Shedeur? That he’s not sitting behind a veteran right now. The more we talk about it, the 2027 class ain’t looking like it’s it,” Mauldin said.
“Who’s to say that part of this is not playing the long game with Shedeur?”
➡️ @earldapearl_216 w/ @Spencito_ wonders whether the #Browns could be developing Shedeur Sanders for the future as uncertainty grows around the 2027 QB class. https://t.co/yvFRJb87y0 pic.twitter.com/02pKkpPNE0
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) October 24, 2026
It is an intriguing idea. Instead of bringing in a rookie they know nothing about, the Browns already have a young QB who would be familiar with their system and has starting experience in the NFL. Whether that aligns with Sanders’ desired trajectory for his career after hiring his first agent would be an open question.
Mauldin makes the valid point that the 2027 college quarterback class is not what it was projected to be. Arch Manning is having another disappointing season and may stay in school to try again. Dante Moore could choose that path as well after his campaign was derailed by injury, and the same with Julian Sayin.
In addition, Cleveland may not be in a position to draft prospects such as Darian Mensah, Trinidad Chambliss, CJ Carr, or Drew Mestemaker. So, instead of using one of their two first-round picks on a QB, the Browns can spend that valuable capital to address other positions and continue to develop someone who is already on the roster.
It would be the latest interesting turn in the long history of Cleveland quarterback conundrums, but it may not be as far-fetched as it might seem at first glance.
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