Deshaun Watson officially locked up the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback job this Monday, which means Shedeur Sanders is officially on the outside looking in. This wasn’t a total shock, as the expectation inside Cleveland was always for Watson to prevail, but the actual decision dropped after Watson’s “sloppy showcase” against the Bills last week. That performance, along with some “well-publicized postgame comments,” definitely made people question head coach Todd Monken’s decision. Still, Monken went with Watson, the guy he believes gives the Browns the best chance to win.
Why No One’s High on Sanders’ Future
Now, the league is buzzing about what’s next for Sanders. And honestly, it isn’t pretty. There aren’t many, if any, NFL front office staffers who actually see Sanders as a starting-caliber quarterback in this league. Ouch, right? One NFL front office staffer flat out told CBS Sports, “Him not even being able to beat out Deshaun (who hasn’t played in an NFL regular season game since his first Achilles injury in 2024) is probably telling.” That’s a brutal assessment, especially considering the context of Watson’s recent play.
It’s not just about his performance in the QB battle, either. There are real questions about Sanders even fitting as a backup. Why? “Celebrity and distraction components” are a thing, they say, all because he’s such a “high-profile and polarizing figure.” This stuff weighs on team officials, leading to multiple NFL teams’ front office officials telling CBS Sports they “wouldn’t have interest in trading for Sanders even if he were available.” Think about that for a second. “Do you really want to deal with that (especially with someone who’s not your starting quarterback)?” another front office staffer questioned. Yikes.
The Slim Chance and What’s Next
To be fair, Sanders hasn’t been all bad in his two years in Cleveland. He finished 9-for-11 against the Bills on Saturday, tossed a touchdown pass, and his one interception was a tipped ball off his intended receiver’s hands. There’s even a “clear chance he could end up starting at some point this season depending on the play of Watson.” So, the door isn’t slammed shut completely.
But don’t get it twisted, the “universal expectation around the league” is that the Browns’ future at quarterback isn’t Sanders, Watson, or even 2025 third-round pick Dillon Gabriel or rookie sixth-rounder Taylen Green. Nope, they believe that future QB is “currently playing for a college team.” This isn’t a huge shock, though, given Sanders already slipped to the fifth round of last year’s NFL draft. The stakes are high for Sanders this season, as he might get an unexpected shot, but the whispers are already loud about his long-term prospects.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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