The Browns have a quarterback decision hanging over them, and it may not stop at Week 10.
With the trade deadline closing in at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Cleveland is suddenly being linked to a possible move involving Shedeur Sanders.
Tony Rizzo of ESPN Cleveland floated the idea on Tuesday, suggesting the Browns could try to deal the second-year quarterback before the deadline. “It appears that maybe they’re trying to deal Shedeur,” Rizzo said.
That speculation comes after Sanders turned in one of his strongest outings of the season. Filling in for Deshaun Watson against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, he went 19-of-31 for 297 yards and two touchdowns. Cleveland had a real shot to win it, but the Browns came up short on a missed two-point try in overtime.
Even with that performance, the Browns still haven’t settled on who will start in Week 10. Head coach Todd Monken has not announced who will face the Houston Texans, and that uncertainty has only fueled the chatter around Sanders’ future.
Cleveland reportedly plans to go back to Watson as its starter for Week 10, but Monken has not confirmed that decision.
Monken, though, was clearly pleased with what Sanders showed on Sunday. On Monday, he told ESPN, “I’m awfully proud of him,” and noted that Sanders had not worked with the first-team offense in 10 weeks. Monken said the quarterback still handled the moment well, using his legs, taking what was available underneath and staying composed.
“So there was a lot there to like, certainly a lot to clean up. And that would be expected from a player that hasn’t really had three days with the ones. And I thought there was a lot to build on.”
If another team is looking for quarterback help, Sanders could draw interest. The Minnesota Vikings were mentioned as a possible landing spot. But as of now, Cleveland has not confirmed any trade talks involving Sanders.
The Browns still have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to make a deal. If they keep Sanders past the deadline, any next step in his situation would have to wait until the offseason.
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