Although projections for next season are not very positive for the Cleveland Browns, there is no doubt that Todd Monken must find a quarterback who can at least make them competitive in 2026. That has been the franchise’s biggest problem. Last season, they used three quarterbacks: Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders.
A few weeks ago, Mary Kay Cabot, a Browns insider, revealed that the competition is currently between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson, each with a 40% chance of being the starter next season. The remaining 20% would go to Dillon Gabriel or another quarterback acquired through the Draft, free agency, or a trade.
The reality is that whether it’s Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders, there are more questions than answers in both cases. Perhaps Sanders gets slightly more leeway since he has only seven career starts, while Watson has been a major disappointment since signing his massive contract in 2022; since then, he has played just 19 games.
Shedeur Sanders must compete hard for the job
It’s clear that Shedeur Sanders’ path in the NFL has not been easy. To become a starter, he had to climb from fourth on the depth chart, and it wasn’t until Week 11 that he made his first start. From that point on, he held onto the job, and although he showed flashes of talent, he also made evident mistakes that ultimately hurt him.
There is still a long road ahead for him to secure the starting role, because the competition isn’t limited to Deshaun Watson. Todd Monken will likely reinforce the quarterback position and bring in someone else, meaning Sanders will need to stay mentally strong.
Former NFL running back LeSean McCoy sent Sanders a clear message about being ready and fighting through adversity:
“I talked to Shedeur [Sanders]. I’m like, ‘Yo, you shouldn’t care who they bring in. You should want them to bring somebody else, because if they do, that brings out the best in you.’ Competition is the best thing for a player. If you want to see how good a player is, bring somebody in that’s different, and you’ll see how he responds. I like that for Shedeur. I don’t think he’s going to be nervous at all,” said the former Eagles and Bills player.
This is nothing new for Shedeur Sanders. Last year he proved he has the patience and competitive mindset, but now the battle will be even tougher. One thing is certain: Sanders has the fans on his side, but the person he truly needs to convince is Todd Monken, the team’s offensive-minded leader, who will ultimately make the final decision – one that will surely spark controversy.
In eight games, seven of them as a starter, Shedeur Sanders threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and was intercepted 10 times.
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