What’s Next for Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland? Browns Face a Big Offseason Decision at Quarterback
The Cleveland Browns had a roadmap laid out for Shedeur Sanders’ rookie season-ease him in, develop him behind the scenes, and let the veterans handle the pressure. But the NFL rarely sticks to the script.
Between Joe Flacco’s uneven performances and Dillon Gabriel’s concussion and inconsistency, the Browns were forced to accelerate Sanders’ timeline. Ready or not, the rookie was thrown into the fire.
And while Sanders brought a jolt of energy to the offense with some splash plays, the full picture-both on tape and in the numbers-paints a more complicated story. The Browns are now facing a pivotal decision: Is Sanders still part of their future plans, or was this year enough to convince them to move on?
A Rough Rookie Ride
Let’s start with the numbers. Sanders completed just 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
His passer rating landed at 68.1. He added 169 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 scrambles, but also fumbled twice (losing one) and took 23 sacks for a loss of 164 yards-all in just eight games, seven of which he started.
From an advanced metrics standpoint, the outlook doesn’t improve. Sanders earned the second-lowest Pro Football Focus grade among eligible quarterbacks (44.1), ranked last in EPA (expected points added) per play at -0.81, and posted a total EPA of -20.22. In short, the offense struggled mightily when he was under center.
But context matters. Sanders was operating behind a battered offensive line and throwing to a wide receiver group that lacked playmakers.
The game plan was conservative, likely by design, to ease his transition into the pros. And let’s not forget-he didn’t even get a full season to show what he could do.
Rookie quarterbacks often take time to find their footing, and Sanders was no exception.
The Noise Around the Name
There’s also the off-field element. Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, brings a level of media attention and scrutiny that most rookies don’t.
Former head coach Kevin Stefanski reportedly felt the weight of that spotlight. And as the Browns look to hire a new head coach, that dynamic may factor into whether they want to keep Sanders in the quarterback room-especially if they’re planning to bring in another rookie.
According to team analyst Scott Petrak, the Browns could look to move on from Sanders depending on how the quarterback situation shakes out this offseason. Speaking on 92.3 The Fan, Petrak suggested that drafting another rookie might make it tough to justify keeping Sanders around.
“If you draft a rookie - which doesn’t seem likely right now, but things change between now and the draft - I don’t think you can bring back Shedeur Sanders. I think it’s just too much,” Petrak said.
“But if you brought in a Mac Jones or Malik Willis, or drafted Garrett Nussmeier, could you keep Shedeur and have them compete? I could see that.
But I don’t think it’s a guarantee that Shedeur comes back next year, depending on how the quarterback situation plays out.”
A Defining Offseason Ahead
The Browns are entering a crucial offseason, and the quarterback room is once again at the center of it all. Sanders showed flashes, but also struggled with decision-making, pocket presence, and ball security. That’s not uncommon for a rookie, but the question is whether Cleveland believes he can take a significant leap forward in Year 2-or if they’d rather reset the position entirely.
If the Browns do bring in another rookie or sign a veteran with starting potential, Sanders could find himself on the outside looking in. But if the team opts for a developmental approach, pairing him with a similarly unproven quarterback, there’s still a path forward for him in Cleveland.
Either way, the Browns’ next move at quarterback will speak volumes-not just about their evaluation of Sanders, but about the direction they want to take as a franchise. For now, his future in Cleveland remains anything but certain.