There was a very strong belief that Shedeur Sanders would be the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback for this week’s home opener against the Carolina Panthers. Even though Deshaun Watson was named QB1 to begin the season, it was thought he would either play so poorly or get injured that head coach Todd Monken would have no choice but to turn to Sanders sooner rather than later.
Watson flipped that script with a comeback victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. Now, still holding the job, he faces an uncertain welcome from the fans at Huntington Bank Field.
Meanwhile, the longer Sanders remains on the bench, the less likely he is to have a future with the Browns. The organization has already shown where he ranks in the current quarterback hierarchy, which could change even more in the 2027 NFL Draft.
With that in mind, insider Tony Grossi is turning heads with his Sanders prediction, saying he will not be on the team next season.
“Anything I say is gonna sound like I want this to happen, and that’s not what you’re asking me. You’re asking me what I think will happen. I don’t think he’s with the team next year because I think they have Taylen Green. I think they have Dillon Gabriel. I think they have a rookie. I think they look at a mid-price bridge veteran quarterback. I think he’s the odd man out,” Grossi said.
"You're asking me what I think will I happen. I don't think he's with the team next year," – @TonyGrossi on Shedeur Sanders. pic.twitter.com/Dct895l1gA
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) September 25, 2026
Grossi’s outlook already takes into account that Watson will not be with the Browns next year, either. Even though there have been rumors about him potentially re-signing with Cleveland, as a potential free agent, he is more likely to explore the market, especially if he has a successful campaign.
Among the others, Green is seen as a long-term developmental project who was already included on the 53-man roster this year despite a very narrow path to playing time. Gabriel, like Sanders a product of the 2025 NFL Draft, is seen as an ideal NFL backup quarterback.
If the Browns use a first-round pick on a quarterback next April, as many analysts expect them to, the organization would likely want to avoid a third straight quarterback competition involving Sanders. As Grossi says, Cleveland would then look for a veteran to mentor the rookie and open the season if needed, like the Las Vegas Raiders are doing this year with Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza.
Sanders would then look to extend his NFL career elsewhere, which may be what’s best for him in the long run.
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