Shedeur Sanders’ arrival and journey through the NFL have certainly been surrounded by controversy. It all began with his dramatic fall in the 2025 draft, from a possible selection in the early picks to landing at spot number 144.
The Cleveland Browns took pity on him and decided to bring him into their ranks. Then came an entire saga with Kevin Stefansky serving as head coach. The road was not easy for Shedeur, but a mix of good fortune and limited flashes of what he can do allowed him to hold on to the starting job toward the end of the season.
Now that teams continue reshaping their rosters ahead of the 2026 season, much is still being said about the young quarterback and everything that lies ahead for him during this offseason period.
Shedeur Sanders continues to generate comments in the NFL
For former New York Jets scout Daniel Kelly, Sanders became a reach for the Browns.
Sanders was actually a ‘reach’ in the 5th round.”…”1. Sanders put up the second-lowest QBR that the NFL has seen in the past 20 years (18.9) 2. Per Next Gen Stats, Sanders had the slowest time to throw in the NFL in 2025 (3.24 seconds). He had one of the worst completion percentages in the league in 2025 compared to his peers (56.6%).
Sanders was the most hesitant quarterback I’ve ever evaluated in college football.”… “No, it’s not a surprise he lasted on the board until the 5th round, like I said, it’s a surprise he ever got drafted.
In the end, as a starter, Shedeur posted a losing record of 3-4, but he left the impression of having developed better chemistry with his teammates. He also gave the team greater visibility with him leading the offense on the field.
That distinctive style he carries, his mood and personality, and his relationship with other players place him in a stronger position to keep the starting role for the year that is about to begin.
However, it is also fair to say that he now faces tougher and more intense competition with the return of Deshaun Watson. Still, it could be said that Sanders holds a certain advantage if the veteran passer returns in the same fashion he did over the past two seasons, that is, without strength or motivation.
Injuries sidelined him, but even when healthy he failed to show anything close to what he once displayed in Houston, and that leaves Sanders with significant possibilities. It also remains to be seen what new additions the team will bring in through the draft.
The road remains rocky and winding for Shedeur, but no one ever said it would be simple to earn a place in the NFL and hold on to it for a long time. In his second year, Deion’s son will want to continue proving that he has the talent to remain with a franchise in the league and help them become winners.
The draft could create more noise around Shedeur Sanders
The Browns hold a first-round selection with the sixth overall pick. If they wish, they could very well go after another signal-caller. Should that happen, it would send a strong message inside the quarterbacks’ room: no one is safe.
So once again, uncertainty knocks on Shedeur’s door, and all he can do is wait to see how things unfold between now and April. In the meantime, he must keep training to stay in shape and improve everything that still needs to be addressed.
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