Denzel Ward’s Comments on Shedeur Sanders Spark QB1 Debate in Cleveland
Shedeur Sanders’ rookie season didn’t exactly go according to script. After entering the league with considerable hype, he didn’t start from Day 1, and when he finally did take the reins, the results were...mixed.
Sanders ended the year with more interceptions than touchdowns - not the stat line you want from your quarterback of the future. And yet, somehow, he was named a Pro Bowl alternate, a move that raised more than a few eyebrows around the league.
Still, there were flashes - moments where Sanders’ presence under center gave the Browns’ offense a different energy. The unit didn’t suddenly become elite, but it had a different feel with Sanders leading the huddle.
His confidence and charisma were hard to miss. He played with a swagger that, at times, seemed to energize the locker room.
That’s why Denzel Ward’s recent comments on the Up & Adams show caught fans off guard.
When asked whether Sanders should be the Browns’ starting quarterback next season, Ward didn’t offer a ringing endorsement. Instead, he kept things diplomatic:
“That’s not my decision to make. We got guys still on the roster who are going to provide good competition at that position.
Looking forward seeing that happen,” Ward said. “May the best guy win.
We got a lot of talented guys in that room who can compete. But he’s in a good spot to get that starting spot if he wants to go get it.”
It’s a classic training camp answer - the kind of response you hear from veterans who know how to navigate the media landscape. But in this case, Ward’s neutral stance became a headline. In the age of viral clips and social media soundbites, even a non-committal answer can light a firestorm.
To be clear, Ward didn’t throw Sanders under the bus. He didn’t criticize his play or question his leadership.
If anything, he issued a challenge - a subtle but clear message that the starting job won’t be handed to anyone. Sanders will have to earn it.
And that’s a fair stance. The Browns still have Deshaun Watson on the roster, and Dillon Gabriel is in the mix as well.
Whether Sanders is the future of the franchise or simply a bridge to something else remains to be seen. But Ward’s comments serve as a reminder that nothing is guaranteed in the NFL - not even for a former college star with a famous last name.
There’s also the reality of the Cleveland quarterback room. It’s crowded, and it’s competitive.
Sanders may have the tools and the upside, but he’s still got to prove he can be consistent, protect the football, and lead an NFL offense week in and week out. That’s the bar, and Ward - a team captain and respected voice in the locker room - made it clear that the bar hasn’t been lowered for anyone.
It’s possible Ward was simply trying to avoid stirring the pot. But in doing so, he may have unintentionally done just that. Fans and media alike are dissecting his comments, wondering what they mean for Sanders’ future in Cleveland.
The truth? They probably don’t mean much - at least not yet.
Ward doesn’t make the depth chart decisions. But his words do carry weight, especially when it comes to the pulse of the locker room.
If Sanders wants to be QB1, he’ll need to earn that trust - not just from the coaching staff, but from his teammates, too. The opportunity is there. Now it’s on him to go take it.