Shedeur Sanders is locked in a legitimate competition with Deshaun Watson for the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback position. While winning the job will be a challenge, Sanders recently received a heartfelt show of support from Jimmy Horn Jr., his former teammate at Colorado.
Panthers’ Jimmy Horn Jr. Backs Shedeur Sanders for Browns’ QB1 Job
Sanders is entering his second NFL season after an inconsistent rookie season that placed him at No. 37 in PFN’s QB Impact Ranking with a 63.0 grade. He now has a genuine opportunity to potentially secure Cleveland’s starting QB role.
Following training camp practice on Wednesday, Horn was asked whether he believes Sanders will ultimately win the competition. Highlighting their close bond, the Panthers wideout made no secret of where his loyalty lies.
“I pray my boy wins that competition,” Horn said to the reporters. “Right now, I’m going to worry about our season, what we’ve got going on. But I pray my boy does win whatever they got going on.”
“Is Shedeur gonna win the Browns quarterback competition?”
Jimmy Horn, Jr: pic.twitter.com/bXnBnfP0FS— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) August 12, 2026
Horn and Sanders were close teammates at Colorado before making it to the NFL as members of the 2025 draft class. While their professional careers have taken them to different teams, their friendship has remained intact.
Last year, Sanders and Horn caught attention during a Browns-Panthers joint practice in Charlotte. The former Colorado teammates showcased their off-field connection by arriving in matching footwear, the Nike Air Diamond Turfs associated with Shedeur’s father, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders.
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However, the pressure is now firmly on Sanders as he enters a pivotal stage of his NFL career. A strong showing throughout preseason could go a long way toward convincing the Browns that he deserves the starting role.
Cleveland has already decided to divide the first two preseason games between Watson and Sanders. The Browns announced Wednesday that Monken has selected Watson to start the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears.
Monken plans to give Sanders the starting opportunity in Cleveland’s second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.
For Sanders, the opportunity is now in front of him. Whether he can turn that opportunity into the starting job will ultimately depend on how he performs when the lights come on.
