Shedeur Sanders waited patiently on the bench for the first 11 weeks of the season and has now started five consecutive games at quarterback for the Browns.
Sanders has shown he’s capable of playing in the NFL, but a full-time starting role may be too big for him at just 23. With Shedeur as QB1, the Browns have a 1-4 record. His best game came against the Titans, when he threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns.
But without him, things were even worse in Cleveland, and not much of the blame can be placed on the rookie.
During his Tuesday press conference, Sanders was asked about his second season in the NFL and whether he thought things could potentially get better for Cleveland in 2026.
“No, I live in the present. I live in the present. I’m focused on this week and this game – and nothing’s promised. Nothing’s promised going into next year or anything, so I stay in the moment, stay focused on what I have to do now to even be able to be here next year, you know? I just enjoy life,” Sanders said.
Nothing’s promised going into next year or anything, so I stay in the moment, stay focused on what I have to do now to even be able to be here next year, you know? I just enjoy life.
Afterward, he added that he doesn’t need to feel a commitment from the Browns, but he made it clear he’ll work to win his spot on the roster for the 2026 season.
“It’s about controlling what you can control – as a person, as a player. I think I have to do my part. I have to get some wins, do my part, and play clean football. The rest isn’t in my hands. So that’s really all it is. I don’t own the organization, you know? So I can’t promise anything will happen. I’m not God; I can’t dictate what’s going to happen each and every day, each and every minute.”
“I don’t think it’s about any of that. It’s about controlling what you can control – as a person, as a player. I have to do my part and get some wins, play clean football. The rest isn’t in my hands.”
I don’t think it’s about any of that. It’s about controlling what you can control – as a person, as a player. I have to do my part and get some wins, play clean football. The rest isn’t in my hands.
“You’ve just got to enjoy what you do have. You’ve got to enjoy the present. You can’t look too deep into the future because then you’ll miss the blessings and the lessons you learn from the now,” he concluded.
Kevin Stefanski’s future in Cleveland uncertain
Sanders’ approach can hardly be criticized, as head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry may both be out of the organization at the end of the season.
Chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta has already taken a job as the Colorado Rockies’ top baseball executive. After six seasons with the Browns, the team has managed just three wins over the last two years.
Cleveland needs stability to grow, just like Sanders does but it’s unclear when, or if, they will ever find it.
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