Shedeur Sanders is gearing up for his sophomore campaign in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, building on a rookie year that showcased both promise and growing pains. Selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft at the No. 144 overall spot, the young quarterback demonstrated resilience after sliding in the draft process.
Standing at 6-foot-2, Sanders earned valuable experience by starting seven games for Cleveland during his debut season.
The Trinity Christian School product delivered a mixed bag of performances throughout 2025. He accumulated 1,400 passing yards while connecting on 56.6 percent of his attempts, along with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Despite the inconsistencies, Sanders posted a 3-4 record in his starts and earned recognition as an invitee to the 2025 Pro Bowl. These accomplishments came on the heels of winning the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, highlighting his strong collegiate pedigree.
As the Browns prepare for the upcoming season, a significant storyline revolves around the quarterback position. Veteran signal-caller Deshaun Watson is set to return after sitting out the entire 2025 season due to an Achilles injury. This development sets the stage for a competitive battle, with Sanders needing to prove himself against the established starter to secure the top spot on the depth chart.
Recent discussions in Cleveland media circles have touched on Sanders’ long-term outlook with the franchise, especially amid swirling trade speculation.
On Wednesday’s episode of the “Orange and Brown Talk” podcast, the topic took center stage. The show, hosted by veteran Cleveland sportswriter Mary Kay Cabot and featuring Browns beat reporters Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe, provided insights into the team’s current approach.
Around the 14:35 mark of the podcast, Labbe raised the question to Cabot regarding potential moves involving Sanders. Cabot moved quickly to downplay the rumors, emphasizing that the organization is following through on its publicly stated plans without making a trade a primary focus at this time.
“In this case, I just don’t really think there’s too much to it at this point,” Cabot said. “They’ve already said exactly what they’re doing. They’re heading into training camp with a two-way battle between these two players, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. I think that’s how it’s going to go.”
Cabot acknowledged that some level of external interest in Sanders is understandable but stressed it does not reflect urgency from the Browns’ side. She noted the possibility of incoming calls without indicating any momentum toward a deal in the immediate future.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s fielding calls,” Cabot said. “Listening to offers from some teams, talking to teams and whatnot. But right now, I don’t see that happening. Of course, it could possibly happen, but the fact that somebody is reporting that right now, I don’t see that as anything that’s on the front burner.”
This perspective suggests the Browns are committed to evaluating both quarterbacks in camp before making any major decisions. The internal competition could ultimately determine the direction of the franchise’s offense heading into 2026. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Sanders responds to the challenge.
With the regular season on the horizon, Cleveland has its schedule set. The team will kick off the 2026 NFL campaign on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. ET. This matchup offers an early opportunity for the Browns to establish their identity under whatever quarterback configuration emerges from training camp.
Overall, Sanders’ development remains a key focal point for the organization. His rookie contributions provided glimpses of potential, but the presence of Watson adds layers of complexity to his path forward.
As the Browns navigate this quarterback situation, the upcoming weeks of preparation will prove critical in shaping the team’s outlook for the season ahead.
