Could the Browns Move On From Shedeur Sanders? Why a Trade to Philly Might Make Sense
The Shedeur Sanders era in Cleveland has been anything but quiet. From the moment he arrived, expectations were sky-high, and the spotlight never left. But after a rocky start to his NFL career, the Browns may be ready to turn the page - and a potential trade to the Philadelphia Eagles could give both sides a fresh start.
Let’s be clear: Sanders didn’t live up to the hype in Cleveland. Despite making a Pro Bowl, his overall performance hasn’t matched the billing.
By several key metrics, he ranked near the bottom of the league in quarterback efficiency. That’s not to say he lacks talent - there have been flashes - but consistency, decision-making, and production have all been question marks.
Now, with Todd Monken stepping in as the Browns' new head coach, the franchise has a chance to reset. Monken, known for his offensive acumen and quarterback development, may prefer to start with a clean slate rather than inherit a signal-caller surrounded by noise - both media-driven and performance-related. And make no mistake, the Sanders situation has brought plenty of both.
That’s where the Eagles come in.
Philadelphia reportedly showed interest in Sanders leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft. His father, Deion Sanders, even confirmed that the Eagles were in the mix - though Shedeur wasn’t keen on landing there at the time, largely due to Jalen Hurts already being entrenched as the starter.
But in a trade scenario, Sanders wouldn’t have a say. And for Philly, this could be a low-risk, high-upside move.
The idea floating around is simple: the Eagles send a late-round pick - maybe a sixth or seventh - to Cleveland in exchange for Sanders. For the Browns, it clears the deck for Monken to target a new quarterback in the draft, with names like Trinidad Chambliss and Ty Simpson already being floated as potential first-round options. If that’s the direction they’re heading, keeping Sanders around could create more friction than it’s worth.
And from Philly’s perspective, bringing in Sanders gives them a developmental quarterback with pedigree, work ethic, and untapped potential. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion might be intrigued by the idea of molding Sanders into a viable backup - or more - behind Hurts. It’s not unheard of for talented quarterbacks to find their footing in a different system with the right coaching staff.
The Browns, meanwhile, would benefit from trimming down their quarterback room. With both Sanders and Dillon Gabriel currently on the roster, and another rookie likely on the way, something’s got to give. If Cleveland isn’t fully committed to developing Sanders - and there’s no indication that was a condition of Monken’s hiring - then moving him now makes sense.
This wouldn’t be a blockbuster deal, but it could be a smart one. For Cleveland, it’s about giving Monken the freedom to build his offense without inherited distractions.
For Philly, it’s a chance to take a flier on a young quarterback with tools and motivation. And for Shedeur Sanders, it could be the fresh start he needs - one where he can develop out of the spotlight and rebuild his game.
Sometimes, the best move for everyone involved is the one that lets each side breathe a little easier. This might be one of those times.