Shedeur Sanders Has Two Starts Under His Belt - But Is That Enough to Shape the Browns' Future?
In the NFL, identifying a franchise quarterback is part science, part art - and sometimes, just plain luck. Some QBs flash their potential the moment they step on the field.
Others take time to develop, needing the right system, the right coach, or just a little patience. For the Cleveland Browns, the search for that guy has felt more like a never-ending loop.
Enter Shedeur Sanders.
It’s only been two starts for the rookie quarterback, but in a city starved for stability under center, those two games matter - maybe more than they should. Cleveland’s quarterback carousel has spun through journeymen, first-round swings that missed, and high-risk trades that backfired. After the Deshaun Watson saga unraveled, the Browns found themselves back at square one, again searching for a long-term answer.
This year, they’ve turned to two rookies: Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Gabriel, drafted ahead of Sanders, has already shown his limitations. He’s accurate and on-time, but lacks the arm strength and physical tools to stretch the field - a backup profile, at best.
Sanders, on the other hand, remains a question mark. And that’s not a knock - it’s just reality.
Two starts into his NFL career, the jury is still out. He’s shown flashes.
He’s also shown some of the same issues that popped up in college - drifting in the pocket, holding the ball too long, taking sacks that could’ve been avoided. But there’s also something there.
He looks like he belongs on an NFL field. That matters.
What’s working against Sanders is everything around him. The Browns offense is a patchwork unit right now.
The offensive line has struggled, and the receiving corps isn’t doing any favors. That’s a brutal environment for any rookie quarterback, let alone one trying to prove he can be the face of the franchise.
So far, Sanders hasn’t lit up the stat sheet. The Browns offense remains below average, and while Sanders has made some plays, he hasn’t done enough to force the team’s hand when it comes to long-term commitment. That’s not entirely on him - but it’s the situation he’s in.
The reality? Even if Sanders finishes the season strong, it might not change the Browns’ plans in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Fair or not, Cleveland is likely to keep its eyes open for quarterback options. That’s the business.
But here’s what we do know: Sanders deserves the rest of the season. He’s earned that much.
Whether he’s the franchise guy, a future starter, or a high-end backup - that’s still to be determined. Two games don’t tell the full story.
But in Cleveland, where quarterback evaluations have haunted the franchise for decades, every snap he takes from here on out matters.
Sanders is on the clock. And so are the Browns.