Deshaun Watson has officially been named the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, which means Shedeur Sanders, after hoping to win the job all summer, is once again settling into a backup role. The second-year QB, a former fifth-round pick, suddenly becomes one of the league’s most talked-about backups, despite not having a ton of starting experience under his belt. The Browns probably aren’t looking to trade him, but a few teams might just pick up the phone to strengthen their quarterback rooms, especially since Sanders is both cheap and young. What a combo, right?
The Lions and Packers Could Use a Young Arm
First up, the Detroit Lions have a quiet need for a backup behind Jared Goff. After veteran Teddy Bridgewater retired this offseason, Josh Dobbs is Goff’s current insurance policy. Sanders’ playing style, which focuses on accuracy from the pocket, fits perfectly with what the Lions do. While he’d be stuck behind Goff, it would put him on a winning team, giving him a chance to soak up that good culture.
Then there are the Green Bay Packers. Their depth chart behind Jordan Love currently lists Tyrod Taylor and Kyle McCord. Taylor is a veteran with a known injury history, and McCord was a late-round pick last year. Sanders could slide right in and be a long-term backup solution. Remember when Green Bay traded for Malik Willis after his second season? That worked out for them, with Willis landing a big starter deal in Miami. They might see Sanders in a similar light, giving him time to develop behind Love.
Miami’s Rebuild and Sanders’ Best Shot in Cleveland
Over in Miami, the Dolphins are knee-deep in a rebuild, evaluating their squad for a big 2027 offseason. They signed Malik Willis this offseason, hoping he’d be their franchise guy, but he hasn’t played more than eight games in a single season. Quinn Ewers, a late-round pick, is Willis’s current backup, but Sanders was actually considered the better prospect than Ewers in the 2025 NFL Draft. Bringing in Sanders would give Miami a stronger young option if Willis struggles or gets hurt, which is a real possibility.
But honestly, Sanders’ best chance to play this year might still be in Cleveland. Watson’s performance in Cleveland has been inconsistent, and he could easily play himself onto the bench at some point in 2026. If that happens, it would clear the way for Sanders to prove he deserves to be the starter beyond this year. The Browns’ quarterback room is one of the thinnest in the league, so they really don’t have the luxury of giving Sanders away. It’s gonna be wild to see how this plays out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply