Shedeur Sanders’ move to hire Adie von Gontard, CEO of Young Money APAA Sports, doesn’t automatically mean a trade is coming. But in a quarterback situation already full of noise in Cleveland, it’s the kind of development that naturally gets people talking.
Sanders, who got through draft night and the opening stretch of his NFL career without an agent, has now signed with von Gontard for representation. That means YMAPAA now represents both Sanders and his former Colorado teammate Travis Hunter.
On the field, though, things haven’t gone the way Sanders likely wanted. He lost Cleveland’s starting quarterback competition to Deshaun Watson, and through five games he has barely been used. His line so far is stark: one snap, one pass attempt.
If the Browns ever do decide to move him, a few teams jump out as possible fits.
Minnesota looks like the cleanest spot if the idea is competition. The Vikings are 5-0, but their offense has not consistently clicked, and quarterback could become a real question if that continues. They have enough talent around the roster to stay in the mix, which makes them an appealing place for a young quarterback to land.
A Sanders-Kyler Murray competition would be one of the more intriguing quarterback battles out there. Minnesota wouldn’t have to hand Sanders anything.
It could simply bring him in and let him earn it. For Sanders, that would be a much better runway than sitting buried behind Watson with no clear path to the field.
New Orleans also makes sense as a possible destination. The Saints have already dealt with frustration over their disappointing start, and ownership has been open about that dissatisfaction. Sanders would bring upside, and the chance to develop inside Kellen Moore’s offense could appeal to a team that wants to look at a young quarterback without locking itself into a forever answer right away.
Then there’s the Jets, maybe the most fascinating option of the bunch. New York is playing respectable football and just beat Cleveland 17-12, with Geno Smith throwing for 182 yards and a touchdown.
Smith is the starter now, but the Jets could eventually have to decide whether he’s their long-term solution. Sanders would give them a younger quarterback to develop behind him or possibly challenge for the job later on.
Still, none of this means Sanders is on the move soon. The new agent could simply be about getting his career lined up professionally. But given Cleveland’s messy quarterback picture, the speculation comes naturally.
If the Browns do choose to go in another direction, Minnesota, New Orleans and New York all look like names worth keeping on the radar.
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