Shedeur Sanders has the keys to the Browns’ offense for the rest of the 2025 season-but he knows nothing beyond that is guaranteed. And to his credit, he’s not pretending otherwise.
Fresh off his best performance yet-364 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in a tough loss to the Titans-Sanders is showing flashes of the poise and arm talent that made him a name to watch coming out of college. That game also came with a unique subplot: a head-to-head matchup with Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft and a fellow rookie quarterback. The two, who share a friendship off the field, shared a moment after the game that gave a glimpse into Sanders’ mindset.
“This is my life here,” Sanders said Wednesday, reflecting on their postgame conversation. “We’re on two different spectrums right now. I have to focus on playing my best and being the player I can be for the team.”
It was a candid moment that revealed a young quarterback who’s fully aware of the stakes. Ward, locked in as the Titans’ franchise guy, has a different level of security.
Sanders? He’s still fighting for his future, one throw at a time.
The Browns named Sanders their starter for the remainder of the season earlier this week, marking a significant vote of confidence. But the road ahead is still full of uncertainty. Cleveland used two picks on quarterbacks in the 2025 draft, and while Sanders has earned the starting job for now, the franchise could easily pivot again this offseason-especially if they end up with a high draft pick in 2026.
Sanders isn’t running from that reality. In fact, he’s embracing it.
“I just go out here and enjoy my day, work hard, do everything I can,” he said. “If I’m here, I’m here.
If I’m not, I’m not. It’s nothing in my control, so I try to control what I can control.”
That mindset is resonating inside the locker room, too. Sanders referenced center Ethan Pocic, who suffered a season-ending injury, and his hope to reunite with him next year. Then, with a grin, he added, “I’ve gotta make sure I’m around next year too.”
It was a light-hearted moment, but the underlying message was clear: Sanders knows he’s auditioning-not just for the Browns, but potentially for the rest of the league. The final four games of the season are a proving ground.
What may work in Sanders’ favor is the shifting landscape of the upcoming quarterback class. What once looked like a deep, star-studded group has lost some of its shine.
Outside of a couple top-tier names, there are real questions surrounding many of the 2026 draft’s QB prospects. If Sanders can string together strong performances down the stretch, he could not only help Cleveland win a few games but also push the franchise out of range for a top quarterback in the draft.
And if that happens, the Browns may decide they’ve already got their guy in-house.
But none of that matters unless Sanders delivers. And that’s exactly where his focus is-on the next game, the next throw, the next opportunity to show he belongs.
Next up: the Chicago Bears. Another chance for Sanders to make his case. Another chance to control what he can control.