Dez Bryant remains unconvinced that swirling trade rumors around Shedeur Sanders signal major problems for the Cleveland Browns at the quarterback position. The former All-Pro wide receiver continues to express strong confidence in the young passer’s abilities, viewing the situation as one filled with opportunity rather than disappointment.
Bryant has voiced his belief that Sanders possesses all the tools necessary to develop into a long-term franchise leader. According to the former star, a change of scenery could actually benefit the second-year quarterback by placing him in a more supportive environment.
“I think he’s a franchise QB and getting him out of Cleveland will be a plus for him,” Bryant said. “The Saints would be a great fit for him!”
Bryant went on to highlight another destination that could suit Sanders well if a move materializes. He pointed to the Arizona Cardinals as a team that aligns nicely with the quarterback’s skill set and potential.
“Arizona is a great fit as well,” Bryant said.
A potential landing spot in New Orleans presents an intriguing yet challenging scenario. The Saints selected Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 draft, and the young signal-caller delivered a solid rookie campaign when given the chance to start. Across 11 games and nine starts, Shough completed 221 of 327 passes for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He finished with a 91.3 passer rating and earned consideration as a finalist for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
While the Saints’ roster would not offer an immediate clear path, the Cardinals could represent a more practical option should the Browns decide to explore trading Sanders. Arizona continues to navigate its own rebuilding efforts at quarterback, and adding a talented, high-visibility young player like Sanders could accelerate their timeline.
Trade discussions gained momentum following comments from Tony Rizzo of ESPN Cleveland, who reported active inquiries regarding the quarterback’s status.
“There are talks, ongoing calls, about the availability of Shedeur Sanders,” Rizzo said. “The Browns, for whatever reason, don’t think he’s the guy. That’s my opinion. I’m sure they’ll say, ‘What are you talking about. He’s in a quarterback battle.’ I’m going to say right now for the record, I don’t think the four quarterbacks are going to camp on July 28. I don’t. Nothing is imminent, but the calls are being made. I think it’s in the best interest of both parties here.”
Despite the speculation, the Browns have avoided any public signals that they are actively shopping Sanders. The organization has consistently described the quarterback room as an open competition involving Sanders and Deshaun Watson. Head coach Todd Monken declined to designate a starter ahead of the summer break and emphasized that the battle will resume during training camp.
Monken acknowledged that he had hoped for greater certainty at this stage of the offseason. Nevertheless, he indicated the team has not yet reached a definitive conclusion on the position.
Sanders experienced a mixed rookie season that still provided Cleveland with valuable insights. He posted a 3-4 record as a starter while accumulating 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Although the statistics were not eye-popping, late-season improvements offered reasons for optimism about his future contributions.
Under Monken, who joined the staff in January, Sanders has demonstrated noticeable growth throughout the offseason program.
Should the young quarterback earn the starting job and deliver consistent production, the Browns would secure a promising talent on a team-friendly contract with significant room for continued development.
