Cleveland‘s quarterback situation is tense. Shedeur Sanders finds himself on shaky ground.
Despite his collegiate acclaim at Colorado and Jackson State, the rookie QB could be trimmed from the roster as soon as his first season ends.
A mock draft from Sporting News predicts the Browns will “cut ties with Colorado legend Shedeur Sanders” to pursue a more stable signal-caller in 2026.
Selected 144th overall in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders quickly became part of a QB room crowded with Dillon Gabriel (thirdround pick), veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, and injured starter Deshaun Watson. Early chatter suggests he finds himself near the bottom of that pecking order.
Former NFL receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh told The Post that competition has largely come down to Gabriel and Pickett.
“I was told from somebody that is in the building that it’s really coming down to Kenny Pickett or Dillon Gabriel,” he said. “But now when you get the reports that Shedeur‘s completing seven out of nine passes-is it against starters? Or is it against the threes and the fours…?”.
Mid-season depth chart concerns
While Sanders impressed during minicamp, completing 10 of 12 throws for two touchdowns in one session, the quality of that competition remains unclear. Cleveland.com’s Ashley Bastock reportedly placed him fourth on the depth chart, behind Pickett, Gabriel, and Flacco.
NFL sideline reporter James Palmer emphasized that “Fifthround picks are not a lock to make the roster” and noted Sanders‘s jersey sales as a potential, though unpredictable, asset.
Adding to the pressure, rumors suggest the Browns aim to use their coveted No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft to select another quarterback, possibly Indiana‘s Fernando Mendoza, as an immediate long-term replacement. Should that plan materialize, Sanders could be edged out after just one season.
Off-field troubles have surfaced too. Sanders has been cited for speeding twice in June, once at 91 mph in a 65 mph zone and again, allegedly going 101 mph in a 60 mph zone near Cleveland.
Neither he nor the Browns appear concerned, though, and Sanders‘s brother even joked about it in a YouTube video.
Sanders has also garnered support from NFL veterans. Former MVP Cam Newton advised him on navigating scrutiny. “Some people may not like you. You got to be fine with that,” Newton said, drawing parallels to his own experience under the media microscope.
Still, outside voices warn Sanders is far from guaranteed a spot. ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi underscored that being drafted behind Gabriel leaves Sanders with an “uncertain” rookie year.
With Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot reporting that Pickett and Gabriel would handle first- and second-team reps-Sanders and Flacco got shuffled to the third- and fourth-string groups-questions about his roster position intensify.
Read the full article here
