Cleveland’s Quarterback Question: Shedeur Sanders Has a Shot-But He’ll Have to Earn It
The Cleveland Browns entered last season with a full-blown quarterback conundrum. Deshaun Watson was banged up and far from his peak form, and the team cycled through four different quarterbacks, including two rookies, in search of stability under center. It was a revolving door that left more questions than answers-and now, with the offseason underway, that door hasn’t stopped spinning.
Among the names still in the mix is Shedeur Sanders, the former fifth-round pick who showed flashes of potential but ultimately finished the year near the bottom of the league in key metrics. Sanders had moments where you could see the arm talent and mobility that made him a college standout, but consistency was elusive. And in the NFL, glimpses aren’t enough-you’ve got to string together full drives, full games, full seasons.
And that’s exactly what the Browns’ locker room is looking for.
On a recent episode of Micah Parsons’ podcast, Browns defensive cornerstone Myles Garrett didn’t mince words when asked about Sanders. Garrett made it clear: the job isn’t being handed to anyone.
“That’s who we’re looking at as the guy,” Garrett said. “We’re gonna give him a shot to prove that he is the guy. We’re not gonna give anyone that title until they go out there and earn it.”
That’s not just a soundbite-it’s a message. One that echoes throughout the Browns’ defense.
Just last week, star cornerback Denzel Ward said much of the same: Sanders has to take a leap. He’s in the running, but he’s not the frontrunner-not yet.
To be fair, that’s not a knock on Sanders. If anything, it’s a sign that the team believes in his potential but isn’t ready to crown him based on upside alone. The Browns are looking for results, not résumés.
As of now, Cleveland’s quarterback room includes Sanders, a still-recovering Deshaun Watson, and rookie Dillon Gabriel. There’s a chance the Browns dip into the draft again, but carrying four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster is a long shot. That means the competition is real, and the pressure is on.
Sanders has plenty going for him. He’s got confidence, a tireless work ethic, and a strong following of fans who believe he can be a long-term answer. He also has a new head coach who’s made it clear he’s been a fan of Sanders for some time, even if he’s not ready to name him the starter just yet.
Still, for Sanders to take the next step, he’ll need more than belief-he’ll need help. The Browns’ offensive line struggled last season, and the receiving corps didn’t do many favors for a young quarterback trying to find his rhythm.
Cleveland’s front office knows it, too. Expect them to be aggressive this offseason in upgrading the protection and adding weapons on the outside.
Because if you’re going to evaluate a young quarterback fairly, you’ve got to give him the tools to succeed. That means better blocking, more reliable targets, and a system that plays to his strengths. Only then can the Browns know what they truly have in Sanders.
So yes, Shedeur Sanders has a shot. But in Cleveland, nothing is given. And if he wants to be QB1, he’s going to have to take it.