Shedeur Sanders Named to Pro Bowl: A Surprising Milestone in Cleveland’s Quarterback Saga
Yes, you read that right - Shedeur Sanders is a Pro Bowler.
In a twist that even the most optimistic Browns fan probably didn’t see coming, the rookie quarterback has been named to the 2026 Pro Bowl as an injury replacement. That makes Sanders the first Cleveland Browns quarterback to earn the honor since Derek Anderson back in 2008.
Let that sink in: the Browns just broke an 18-year Pro Bowl quarterback drought. And they did it with a fifth-round rookie whose season was anything but textbook.
Let’s be clear - Sanders’ numbers don’t exactly scream “all-star.” He started seven games, going 3-4, and threw for 1,400 yards with 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
His 56.6% completion rate was the lowest in the league, and his 68.1 passer rating ranked 49th. But the Pro Bowl isn’t always about the stat sheet - sometimes, it’s about timing, availability, and yes, a little bit of name recognition.
How Did We Get Here?
This is what happens when the quarterback depth chart across the AFC gets decimated. Drake Maye, the original Pro Bowl selection, is busy preparing for Super Bowl LX with the Patriots.
Josh Allen and Justin Herbert are dealing with injuries. Bo Nix fractured his ankle.
Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL. Daniel Jones is rehabbing a torn Achilles.
At some point, the call goes out to whoever’s left standing. And this time, it rang for Sanders.
He becomes the first fifth-round rookie quarterback to make the Pro Bowl since Puka Nacua did it as a wide receiver - though that comparison is a bit generous. Nacua had a historic rookie season.
Sanders, on the other hand, had more interceptions than touchdowns and struggled with consistency. Still, he’s headed to San Francisco to represent the Browns alongside stars Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward.
Not the Most Bizarre QB Selection Ever
As wild as this Pro Bowl nod may seem, it’s not the most out-of-left-field quarterback pick in recent memory. That title still belongs to Tyler Huntley, who made the Pro Bowl after the 2022 season despite throwing just two touchdowns in five starts. Huntley went 2-2 with 658 passing yards and got the nod when the usual suspects bowed out.
So while Sanders’ inclusion is surprising, it’s not without precedent. The Pro Bowl has a long history of being more about who can play than who should play.
A Little Historical Perspective
When it comes to rookie quarterbacks making the Pro Bowl outside of the first round, Dak Prescott still sets the bar. Back in 2016, Prescott - a fourth-round pick - led the Cowboys to a 12-2 record through 14 games, threw 20 touchdowns with just four interceptions, and earned both Pro Bowl and Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
That was dominance. Sanders’ journey is more about circumstance.
But for a franchise that’s cycled through 42 different starting quarterbacks since returning to the league in 1999, any Pro Bowl selection at the position is worth noting. Sanders might not have had a breakout season, but he now holds a place in Browns history - however unconventional the path may have been.
What It Means Going Forward
The Pro Bowl selection is a nice moment, but it doesn’t change the questions Cleveland faces at quarterback. The Browns have already moved on from head coach Kevin Stefanski, and GM Andrew Berry has publicly said he can’t confirm whether the team’s 2026 starter is already on the roster. That leaves Sanders with a challenge: prove he’s more than just a fill-in.
This Pro Bowl nod might be a product of chaos around the league, but it’s also an opportunity. Sanders now has a national stage to show he belongs - and maybe, just maybe, start changing the narrative around Cleveland’s quarterback future.
One thing’s for sure: it’s been a long time since a Browns quarterback made headlines for something other than a quarterback controversy.