Shedeur Sanders Trade Talk Swirls, but Browns’ Focus Shifts to Draft Position
Trade speculation around rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders picked up steam this week, but not everyone’s buying it - and some are shutting it down altogether. Veteran sports columnist Jason Whitlock made his stance clear, stating flatly that no NFL team is looking to acquire Sanders at this point in the season.
Sanders, in his first year under center for the Cleveland Browns, has faced a rough introduction to the league. He’s gone 1-4 in his first five starts, and the Browns are now sitting at 3-12 after a loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday - their seventh defeat in their last eight games.
That slide has Cleveland climbing in the 2026 NFL Draft order, currently holding the No. 3 spot behind Las Vegas and the New York Giants. And with just two games left, the Browns are well within striking distance of the top pick - if the losses keep coming.
Draft Implications and a Clear Path to No. 1
Cleveland’s remaining schedule gives them a real shot at finishing with the league’s worst record. If they lose their Week 17 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers and either the Giants or Raiders - who play each other this weekend - manage to win, the Browns will be guaranteed a top-two selection.
That looming draft position has sparked conversations about the team’s quarterback future. ESPN Cleveland’s Aaron Goldhammer floated the idea of the Browns using a top-two pick on a new quarterback and potentially moving Sanders.
But Whitlock wasn’t having it. He took to social media to shoot down the idea, saying no team would want to bring in “the cult and the stupid questions” that come with Sanders, suggesting the only way he leaves Cleveland is if the team decides to waive him.
Sanders’ Performance vs. Buffalo: A Mixed Bag
Despite the noise, Sanders continues to suit up and battle. Against Buffalo, he threw for 157 yards and a touchdown but also tossed two interceptions. It was far from a clean game, but there were flashes - particularly with his mobility - that caught the attention of head coach Kevin Stefanski.
“He battled like he does,” Stefanski told reporters postgame. “I thought he made some unbelievable plays with his feet today, which I thought going into the game that may be the case.
He’ll fight through injuries. A little finger injury is not going to keep him out of there.”
That toughness has been a consistent theme in Sanders’ rookie campaign. He’s taken hits, played through pain, and kept showing up - something that carries weight in NFL locker rooms, even when the stat sheet doesn’t tell the full story.
Looking Ahead: Browns vs. Steelers
Cleveland wraps up its home schedule this Sunday when they host the Steelers at 1 p.m. ET. While the game won’t have playoff implications for either team, it could go a long way in determining the Browns’ future - both in terms of draft position and the ongoing evaluation of their young quarterback.
The front office will have some major decisions to make in the offseason. Whether Sanders is part of that long-term plan remains to be seen. For now, he’s still the guy taking snaps, still fighting through adversity, and still trying to prove he belongs - even as the drumbeat of change grows louder.